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As an organization of educators, the Wisconsin Education Association Council recognizes that many students are eager to complete their high school education but have extraordinary needs. These needs are often met through alternative education programs for both students at risk of not graduating as well as those who are talented and gifted.
Chapter 115.28 (7) (e) of the state statutes defines an alternative education program as an instructional program approved by the school board that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques, and is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs, or is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. "Alternative educational program" does not include a private school or a home-based private educational program. The state superintendent of public instruction is charged with the development of administrative rules establishing requirements for licensure of alternative education program teachers.
Funding of alternative education programs is largely the responsibility of local school districts. Education professionals realize, however, that local school districts do not always have the financial resources to support diverse learning environments.
Many school districts are forced to cut funding for one set of programs in order to maintain others. This can pit the needs of at- risk students against the needs of gifted and talented and regular education students. In the end, educational programs suffer and so do the students.
The 1999-2001 state budget created a $5 million annual categorical appropriation for grants to school districts and consortia of school districts for alternative education programs. The new grants will be distributed outside of the state revenue caps. WEAC supported the creation of this new grant program and will seek to expand it in the future.
WEAC Vice President Stan Johnson served as a member of a bi-partisan legislative study committee that recommended improvements to existing programs for at-risk students. These recommendations acknowledge the rigor of academic accountability called for in the new high school graduation exams and establish new qualifications for at-risk programs. The study committee also recommended a new program to establish grants to schools where 4th graders are held back as a result of poor academic performance. The 4th grade grant program did not pass in the 1999-2000 legislative session. WEAC will seek reintroduction of the 4th grade grant program in the future.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council supports legislation to expand alternative education programs that serve both students at risk of not graduating high school as well as those who are talented and gifted. WEAC also supports a bill to provide alternative education grants specifically aimed at assisting 4th grade students held back due to lack of academic progress.
Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext. 254 or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.
Posted June 6, 2000