2017 Legislative Update October 19, 2017
Voucher Amount 2017-18 – $207 increase MPCP, RPCP and WPCP: $7,530 / $8,176 SNSP: $12,207 2018-19 – $217 increase MPCP, RPCP and WPCP: $7,747 / $8,393 SNSP: $12,424
WPCP Income Limits Increased from 185% FPL to 220% FPL
Student Eligibility Returning choice students – once in, always in for income when switching programs Students who were waitlisted for WPCP in any year due to the district cap are not subject to entry points Students who applied to the RPCP or WPCP but were waitlisted (any reason) are not subject to income verification or entry points when applying the following year Entry points not applicable for out-of-state students and continuing choice students (from any program)
School Eligibility A school that merges with a school already participating in the RPCP or WPCP is not subject to entry points for their first 2 years in the program
Optional WPCP Summer Open Enrollment Period Schools may accept WPCP transfer applications during the first 3 weeks of August Students must have applied to the WPCP during the February-April application period Students must have moved between April 21 and the 3rd Friday in August Students are still subject to the district caps
Summer School Summer school funding prorated for students who attend fewer than 15 days Beginning in 2018, funding for SNSP summer school
Audit and Financial Requirements $100,000 threshold for GAAP financial audit In lieu of anticipated budget, new MPCP, RPCP or WPCP schools can choose to submit to DPI a surety bond Equal to 25% of anticipated choice dollars Schools must return their reserve balance if school does not maintain a cash and investment balance = to reserve balance
Administrative Requirements All parental choice schools must conduct criminal background checks on employees Eliminate continuing eligibility report Eliminate November 1 updated budget for new schools Continuing schools’ policies, board signatures and academic standards only upon request or change
Miscellaneous Items Families can directly submit income to DOR Schools can charge for room and board Up to 140 work-based learning program hours can be counted for hours of instruction DPI can bar schools that “intentionally or negligently” misrepresent information
Testing High school students must earn a 65 (previously 60) on the Civics Exam Only require testing if 20 or more students in grades 3-12
Accountability Report High school report card must include: # and % of students who participate in Early College Credit Program # and % of students who participate in youth apprenticeships # of student community service hours # of AP courses @ school and # of AP credits earned by students
Early College Credit Program (formerly Youth Options) Beginning in 2018-19, private schools can participate in this program Allows students to take college courses (not technical colleges) during high school at discounted rate Private schools responsible for some cost Student must reimburse school if they do not pass the class A school can limit a student to 18 credits
Teacher Licensure DPI will be working on converting licenses affected by this budget. Educators will not need to complete any steps to obtain the new license for which they are eligible Please see the DPI website for the most up-to-date information
Special Needs Scholarship Program - Eligibility No open enrollment denial requirement No prior public school enrollment requirement 2018-19 eligibility criteria: Wisconsin resident age 4-21 Current IEP or Services Plan in effect SCW is currently discussing with DPI how private school students with special needs can obtain an IEP that is “in effect” New, optional, high cost voucher model available beginning in 2018-19
Grants Private schools are now eligible for the following grants Bullying prevention grant School improvement grant Personal electronic computing devices grant Robotics league participation grants pilot program School mental health programs aid Teacher development program grant
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