Prefatory note: This bill has been prepared for the joint legislative council's
special committee on teacher preparation, licensure and regulation.

The bill contains the following provisions:

Section 1 creates a statutory professional standards council for teachers (council)
in the department of public instruction (department). This Section also sets forth the
members of the council who are each appointed by the state superintendent of public
instruction (state superintendent). The council consists of the following 17 members:

1. Two persons licensed and employed as elementary school teachers in the public
schools, nominated by the largest statewide labor organization representing teachers.

2. Two persons licensed and employed as middle school, junior high school or senior
high school teachers in the public schools, nominated by the largest statewide labor
organization representing teachers.

3. Two persons licensed and employed as pupil services professionals in the public
schools, nominated by the largest statewide labor organization representing teachers.

4. One person licensed and employed as a school special education teacher in the
public schools, nominated by the largest statewide labor organization representing
teachers.

5. Two other persons licensed and employed as school teachers in the public
schools, nominated by the largest statewide labor organization representing teachers.

6. One public school district administrator, nominated by the Wisconsin
Association of School District Administrators.

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7. One public school principal, nominated by the Association of Wisconsin School
Administrators.

8. One faculty member of a department or school of education in the University of
Wisconsin (UW) System, nominated by the president of the UW System.

9. One faculty member of a department of school of education in a private college
in Wisconsin, nominated by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities (WAICU).

10. One additional faculty member, appointed from the lists of nominees submitted
by the UW System and WAICU.

11. One school board member nominated by the Wisconsin Association of School
Boards.

12. One person who is a parent of a child who is enrolled in a public school.

13. One person who is a student enrolled in a teacher preparatory program leading
to initial licensure as a teacher.

For each vacancy on the council, the group or entity authorized to nominate
members is required to submit the names of 3 qualified persons to the state
superintendent.

Each council member serves a 3-year term, except for the student member, who
serves a 2-year term.

The council is required to meet on a regular basis at least twice each year.

The purpose of the council is to ensure quality in the profession of teaching by
recommending to the state superintendent a set of high standards for licensing that
maintains quality classroom teaching, addresses the changing needs for the instruction
of pupils in the state and provides for the continual professional development of teachers.
The primary focus of the council is on classroom teaching.

The duties of the council as set forth in the bill are as follows:

1. Advise the state superintendent on standards for the licensure of teachers,
including initial licensure and maintenance and renewal of licenses, to ensure the
effective teaching of a relevant curriculum.

2. Propose to the state superintendent standards for evaluating and approving
teacher education programs, including continuing education programs.

3. Provide to the state superintendent an ongoing assessment of the complexities
of teaching and the status of the teaching profession in Wisconsin.

4. Propose to the state superintendent policies and practices for school boards and
teacher organizations to utilize in developing effective teaching.

5. Propose to the state superintendent standards and procedures for the revocation
of a teaching license.

6. Propose to the state superintendent ways to recognize excellence in teaching,
including the assessment administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards and master educator licensure, and to assist teachers in achieving excellence
in teaching.

7. Propose to the state superintendent effective peer assistance and peer
monitoring models, including evaluation systems, and alternative teacher dismissal
procedures for consideration by school boards and labor organizations.

8. Review and make recommendations regarding administrative rules proposed
by the department that relate to teacher preparation, licensure and regulation.

9. Propose to the state superintendent alternative procedures for the preparation
and licensure of teachers.

10. At the request of the state superintendent, review and assess complaints,
suggestions or inquiries relating to the licensure and preparation of school personnel or
other educational matters and advise the state superintendent as to appropriate
responses or actions.

11. Report annually to the legislature on the activities and effectiveness of the
council.

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Section 3 contains provisions to implement a staggering of the 3-year terms for
the appointed members.