Assembly Bill 518 proposes amendments to the statutes governing private schools participating in parental choice programs in Wisconsin. The bill allows individuals holding a substitute teaching permit issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to substitute teach at these private schools. Currently, all teachers at such schools are required to have a teaching license or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The bill introduces new provisions that specify that individuals with a substitute teacher permit can teach as permitted under that permit, thereby expanding the pool of available substitute teachers for private schools in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, Racine Parental Choice Program, and the statewide parental choice program.

Specifically, the bill amends sections 118.60 and 119.23 of the statutes to include new language that allows for this change. It deletes the requirement that all private school teachers must hold a teaching license or a higher degree, adding new subsections that explicitly state that individuals with a substitute teacher permit may teach at these schools. This legislative change aims to address staffing needs in private schools by permitting qualified substitute teachers to fill in as needed, thereby enhancing educational opportunities for students in these programs.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 118.60(2)(a)6.a, 118.60, 119.23(2)(a)6.a, 119.23