Wisconsin Senate Bill SB508

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/16/23
• Refer: 10/16/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Counting pupils enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten for purposes of state aid and revenue limits. (FE)

Impact

The bill is expected to have a significant impact on educational funding. By allowing more pupils to be counted as full pupils, it would potentially increase the amount of state aid allocated to schools with full-day four-year-old kindergarten programs. This enhancement in funding could support better educational resources and facilities, leading to improved educational outcomes for young children. The proposed change seeks to promote the early education framework in the state by encouraging schools to adopt full-day kindergarten programs, enhancing students' overall learning experience and readiness for primary education.

Summary

Senate Bill 508 aims to amend how pupils enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten programs are counted for state aid and revenue limits within school districts in Wisconsin. Under the current law, such pupils are counted as a fraction of a pupil, specifically 0.5, unless their kindergarten program provides a certain amount of outreach activities, in which case they are counted as 0.6 pupils. However, SB508 proposes that all four-year-old kindergarten pupils will be counted as a full pupil if their program mandates full-day attendance five days a week. This change is intended to take effect for state aid paid from the 2024-25 school year onwards.

Contention

Notably, the bill has been a point of contention among various stakeholders in the education sector. Proponents, including several Democratic lawmakers, argue that full-day programs provide essential learning opportunities for young children and align with modern educational standards. Conversely, opponents of the bill express concerns over the financial implications, facing criticism that the shift to full-time pupil counting may strain already limited school resources, especially for districts that cannot afford to implement full-day programs. The discourse surrounding SB508 highlights broader debates on education funding and the accessibility of quality early childhood education in Wisconsin.