Reporting certain crimes and other incidents that occur on school property or school transportation and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
One of the notable impacts of AB53 is its potential influence on school accountability. Statistics collected by schools will contribute to an annual report submitted to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), although it is specified that these crime statistics will not directly factor into the performance assessments of the schools or districts. This could mean a separation of criminal incident reporting from the academic performance metrics that inform accountability assessments, thereby framing the conversation around school safety more independently from academic outcomes.
Assembly Bill 53 requires public and participating private high schools in Wisconsin to collect and report statistics on various criminal incidents occurring on school property or during school-sponsored transportation starting in the 2024-25 school year. The incidents to be reported include serious crimes like homicide, sexual assault, burglary, robbery, battery, and arson, among others. The bill designates specific conditions under which these statistics must be collected, such as the incident occurring on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., being reported to law enforcement, and leading to a filed charge or citation.
The bill has sparked discussions about the balance between ensuring school safety and the practicality of reporting such sensitive information. Critics may argue that the burden of collecting and submitting this data could detract from educational priorities. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding privacy and the potential stigmatization of certain schools based on their statistical reports. The requirement for this data collection might also challenge schools to maintain effective communication and cooperation with law enforcement.
AB53 passed the assembly with a vote tally of 61 yeas to 35 nays, indicating a degree of bipartisan support but also significant opposition. The discussions surrounding the bill highlight its implications not only for legal accountability but also for the broader educational landscape in Wisconsin.