Low-performing school districts and schools; state superintendent interventions
Wis. Stat. § 118.42
in effect(1) If the state superintendent determines that a school district has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the school board shall do all of the following:
(a) Employ a standard, consistent, research-based curriculum that is aligned with the state’s model academic standards, as determined by the state superintendent, and across grades in all schools.
(b) Use pupil academic performance data, including data indicating improvement in pupil academic achievement and English language acquisition, to differentiate instruction to meet individual pupil needs. To the extent practicable, the school board shall assess pupils in the language and form most likely to yield accurate data.
(c) Implement for all pupils a system of academic and behavioral supports and early interventions, including diagnostic assessments, instruction in core academic subjects, different instructional strategies for different pupils, and strategies to improve reading and mathematics instruction and promote positive behavior.
(d) Provide additional learning time to address the academic needs of pupils who are struggling academically, including pupils whose proficiency in English is limited. The additional learning time may include an extended school day, an extended school year, summer school, or intersession courses.
(2) If the state superintendent determines that a public school was in the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state in the previous school year and is located in a school district that has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the school board shall do all of the following in the school:
(a) Use rigorous and equitable performance evaluation systems for teachers and principals that include all of the following:
1. Annual performance evaluations; multiple rating categories; multiple rating criteria, including improvement in pupil academic achievement as a significant factor; observation-based performance assessments; and an up-to-date collection of professional practice materials. The school board shall ensure that improvement in pupil academic achievement is based on at least 2 measures.
2. A method of identifying mitigating factors, such as a high rate of pupil mobility, large class size, insufficient preparation time, insufficient paraprofessional support, insufficient professional development, and insufficient resources or support, that could affect a teacher’s or principal’s performance.
(b) Adopt a policy establishing criteria for evaluating whether the distribution of teachers and principals within the affected schools relative to the distribution of teachers and principals throughout the school district, based upon their qualifications and effectiveness, is equitable. Using the criteria, the school board shall determine whether the distribution of principals and teachers is equitable. If the school board determines that the distribution is inequitable, the school board shall do all of the following:
1. Perform a comprehensive review of current policies and constraints that prevent low-performing schools from recruiting, placing, and retaining effective teachers and principals, and implement strategies to eliminate those policies and constraints.
2. Provide additional support to teachers and principals, which may include professional development that is incorporated into their work and tuition reimbursement for courses related to their professional duties.
(c) Establish teacher and principal improvement programs that include all of the following:
1. Supplemental mentoring for those with emergency licenses or permits.
2. Opportunities to pursue other professional certifications, including certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
3. Annually, at least 60 hours of professional development that is incorporated into their work. The school board shall consult with teachers and principals on the content of the professional development.
4. A joint labor-management program designed to objectively identify teachers and principals who demonstrate serious performance deficiencies and provide them with opportunities for improvement, including weekly observation, mentoring, ongoing conferences, modeling, and professional development. The school board shall offer career counseling and other career transition benefits to those teachers and principals who continue to demonstrate performance deficiencies.
(d) Adopt placement criteria for principals that include performance evaluations and measures of pupil academic achievement.
(3)
(a) If the state superintendent determines that a school district has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the state superintendent may, after consulting with the school board, the school district superintendent, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, direct the school board to do one or more of the following in the school district:
1. Implement or modify activities described in sub. (1) (a) to (d).
2. Implement a new or modified instructional design, which may include expanded school hours or additional pupil supports and services.
3. Implement professional development programs that focus on improving pupil academic achievement.
4. Implement changes in administrative and personnel structures.
5. Adopt accountability measures to monitor the school district’s finances or to monitor other interventions directed by the state superintendent under subds. 1. to 4.
(b) If the state superintendent determines that a public school is located in a school district that has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, and that the school has been in need of improvement for 5 consecutive school years or was among the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state in the previous school year, the state superintendent may, after consulting with the school board, the school district superintendent, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, direct the school board to do one or more of the following in the school:
1. Implement a new or modified instructional design, which may include expanded school hours or additional pupil supports and services.
2. Create a school improvement council consisting of the state superintendent or his or her designee, the school district or school board president or his or her designee, the school district administrator or his or her designee, the school principal or his or her designee, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, to make recommendations to the state superintendent regarding improving the school.
(c)
1. If the state superintendent issues a directive under par. (a) or (b), he or she shall do all of the following:
a. Notify the legislature’s education committees under s. 13.172 (3) and each legislator whose legislative district includes any portion of the school district.
b. Provide a system of support and improvement, including technical assistance, to the school board.
2. If a school board receives a directive from the state superintendent under par. (a) or (b), the school board shall seek input from school district staff, parents, and community leaders on implementing the directive.
(4) The state superintendent shall promulgate rules establishing criteria and procedures for determining whether a school or school district is in need of improvement and whether a school is among the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state, for the purposes of this section.
(5) Nothing in this section alters or otherwise affects the rights or remedies afforded school districts and school district employees under federal or state law.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/118.42Fetched: 10/7/2026