{"data":{"id":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-115.97","jurisdiction":"us-wi","citation":"Wis. Stat. § 115.97","heading":"Bilingual-bicultural education programs required.","body":"(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.\n(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.\n(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.\n(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.\n(5)\n(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:\n1. Compliance with all other requirements of this subchapter.\n2. A good faith, continuing effort to recruit bilingual teachers for the language group.\n3. Employment of at least one bilingual teacher’s aide in the program.\n(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a program for Spanish-speaking pupils.","path":["Chs. 115-121, Public Instruction","Chapter 115 State Superintendent; General Classifications And Definitions; Children With Disabilities","SUBCHAPTER VII BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL EDUCATION"],"source_url":"https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/115.97","current_through":"2023-24 Wisconsin Statutes updated through 2025 Wis. Act 247 (published 9-4-26)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T12:00:51Z","sha256":"fd675327e587988cafd98bff71b859a41bad555c19730995ab47eae4175c511e","source_id":"us-wi","stale":false,"prev":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-115.96","next":"us-wi/wis.-stat.-115.977"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}