Bilingual-bicultural education programs required
Wis. Stat. § 115.97
in effect(1) A school board may combine pupils in attendance at separate schools in its bilingual-bicultural education program. The school board shall be eligible for state aids under s. 115.995 if the number of limited-English proficient pupils served from the combined schools meets the requirements under sub. (2), (3) or (4). A pupil shall be eligible for a bilingual-bicultural education program only until he or she is able to perform ordinary classwork in English. The bilingual-bicultural education program shall be designed to provide intensive instruction to meet this objective. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize isolation of children of limited-English proficient ability or ethnic background for a substantial portion of the school day. Pupils who are not limited-English proficient pupils may participate in a bilingual-bicultural education program, except that a school board shall give preference to limited-English proficient pupils in admitting pupils to such a program.
(2) If, in a language group under s. 115.96 (1), there are 10 or more limited-English proficient pupils in kindergarten to grade 3 in attendance at a particular elementary school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils’ placement under s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
(3) If, in a language group under s. 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 4 to 8 in attendance at a particular elementary, middle or junior high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils’ placement under s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
(4) If, in a language group under s. 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 9 to 12 in attendance at a particular high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to the pupils’ placement under s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program. The program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher. Bilingual counselors shall be made available.
(5)
(a) Except as provided under par. (b), if a school board is required to establish a bilingual-bicultural education program under sub. (2), (3) or (4), but bilingual teachers for the language groups are unavailable, the program may be taught by certified teachers of English as a 2nd language upon receipt of approval of the state superintendent. The state superintendent may approve a program under this paragraph only if the school board demonstrates all of the following:
1. Compliance with all other requirements of this subchapter.
2. A good faith, continuing effort to recruit bilingual teachers for the language group.
3. Employment of at least one bilingual teacher’s aide in the program.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a program for Spanish-speaking pupils.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/115.97Fetched: 10/7/2026