Senate Bill 89 mandates that school districts in Wisconsin report specific information regarding American Indian children attending their schools. Starting with the annual report for the 2026-2027 school year, districts will be required to include data on the numbers, ages, and tribal affiliations of these students in their reports to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). This requirement aims to enhance the understanding of the demographics of American Indian students within the education system, building on previous voluntary reporting practices initiated by some districts during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The bill also aligns with existing laws that require the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct a biennial assessment of the need for American Indian language and culture education programs. While current law includes various data points for this assessment, it does not explicitly require the collection of tribal affiliation data from school districts. By introducing this new reporting requirement, the bill seeks to ensure that the educational needs of American Indian children are adequately recognized and addressed in Wisconsin's school districts.