Wisconsin Senate Bill SB917

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/24
• Refer: 1/16/24
• Report Pass: 2/5/24
• Engrossed: 2/13/24
• Refer: 2/14/24
• Enrolled: 2/27/24
• Vetoed: 3/29/24
• Failed: 5/15/24

Caption

Student teaching requirement for teacher preparatory programs and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Impact

The bill aims to elevate the standard of teacher education in Wisconsin by stipulating that approved teacher preparatory programs must require at least one but no more than four full semesters of student teaching. This change is anticipated to enhance the practical training of future educators, better preparing them for the realities of classroom instruction. It also includes provisions for these additional semesters to be credited as general education coursework, further integrating the teaching practice into higher education curricula.

Summary

Senate Bill 917 focuses on the requirements for teacher preparatory programs, specifically mandating more extensive student teaching experiences. Under this bill, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is required to annually report the first attempt passage rates for students on licensure examinations, dividing this data by those who completed different lengths of student teaching. From the 2025-26 school year onward, this segregation of data aims to provide clearer insights into the effectiveness of teacher training programs based on real-world teaching experiences.

Contention

While supporters argue that SB917 will produce better-prepared teachers by ensuring they have sufficient real-world teaching experience, there may be concerns regarding the capacity of educational institutions to implement these changes effectively. The need for additional semester requirements may lead to increased pressure on colleges and universities to accommodate student teaching placements and funding for such programs. Additionally, some may argue that the focus on more stringent student teaching requirements could inadvertently limit access to teacher education for prospective candidates, particularly those who may not be able to afford extended unpaid student teaching periods.