Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 118 - General school operations.
118.33 - High school graduation standards; criteria for promotion.

118.33 High school graduation standards; criteria for promotion.
(1)
(a) Except as provided in pars. (d), (e), (em), and (es), a school board may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil satisfies the requirement under sub. (1m) (a) and has earned:
1. In the high school grades, all of the following:
a. At least 4 credits of English including writing composition.
b. At least 3 credits of social studies including state and local government.
c. At least 3 credits of mathematics. The school board shall award a pupil up to one mathematics credit for successfully completing in the high school grades a course in computer sciences that the department has determined qualifies as computer sciences according to criteria established by the department. The school board shall award a pupil up to one mathematics credit for successfully completing in the high school grades a career and technical education course that the school board determines satisfies a mathematics requirement, but may not award any credit for that course if the school board awards any credit for that same course under subd. 1. d.
d. At least 3 credits of science. The school board shall award a pupil a science credit for successfully completing in the high school grades each course in agriculture that the department has determined qualifies as science according to criteria established by the department. The school board shall award a pupil up to one science credit for successfully completing in the high school grades a career and technical education course that the school board determines satisfies a science requirement, but may not award any credit for that course if the school board awards any credit for that same course under subd. 1. c.
e. At least 1.5 credits of physical education.
2. In grades 7 to 12, at least 0.5 credit of health education.
(am) The state superintendent shall encourage school boards to require an additional 8.5 credits selected from any combination of vocational education, foreign languages, fine arts and other courses.
(b) Except as provided in par. (es), a school board may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless, during the high school grades, the pupil has been enrolled in a class or has participated in an activity approved by the school board during each class period of each school day, or the pupil has been enrolled in an alternative education program, as defined in s. 115.28 (7) (e) 1. Nothing in this paragraph prohibits a school board from establishing a program that allows a pupil enrolled in the high school grades who has demonstrated a high level of maturity and personal responsibility to leave the school premises for up to one class period each day if the pupil does not have a class scheduled during that class period.
(c) A school board may require a pupil to participate in community service activities in order to receive a high school diploma.
(d) A school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil who has not satisfied the requirements under par. (a) if all of the following apply:
1. The pupil was enrolled in an alternative education program, as defined in s. 115.28 (7) (e) 1.
2. The school board determines that the pupil has demonstrated a level of proficiency in the subjects listed in par. (a) equivalent to that which he or she would have attained if he or she had satisfied the requirements under par. (a).
3. The pupil satisfies the requirement under sub. (1m) (a).
(e) A school board may allow a pupil who participates in sports or in another organized physical activity, as determined by the school board, to complete an additional 0.5 credit in English, social studies, mathematics, science, or health education in lieu of 0.5 credit in physical education.
(em) A school board may count a credit that a pupil earns in grade 7 or 8 towards the requirements under par. (a) 1. or (am) if all of the following are satisfied:
1. The pupil's performance on an examination under s. 118.30 or a similar examination approved by the school board demonstrates that the pupil is academically prepared for coursework that is offered in the high school grades.
2. The credit is earned in a course that is taught by a teacher who is licensed to teach the subject in the high school grades.
3. The credit is earned in a course that is taught using a curriculum and assessments that are equivalent to the curriculum and assessments used to teach the subject in the high school grades.
(es)
1. A school board may adopt a resolution to allow pupils in the high school grades to earn high school credits in a subject area by demonstrating a level of proficiency in that subject area or by creating a learning portfolio related to that subject area. If a school board adopts a resolution under this paragraph, the school board shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for awarding credits under this paragraph. The school board shall include in its policies and procedures the manner in which a pupil may qualify for high school credit under this paragraph. A pupil may earn not more than one-half of the total number of credits required for a high school diploma under this paragraph.
2. For a pupil who earns credit under this paragraph, a school board may waive the requirement under par. (b) that requires a pupil, during the high school grades, to be enrolled in a class or participate in an activity approved by the school board during each class period of each school day.
3. Nothing in this paragraph affects a school board's obligations to administer examinations under s. 118.30.
4. A nonprofit, for-profit, or public educational institution that provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's or higher degree, or provides a program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree or a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, and admits as regular students only individuals having a certificate of graduation from a high school, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, shall treat a high school diploma awarded based, in part, on credits earned under this paragraph in the same manner as it treats a high school diploma awarded based on credits earned by enrolling in class.
(f)
1. Each school board operating high school grades shall develop and periodically review and revise a written policy specifying criteria for granting a high school diploma that are in addition to the requirements under par. (a). The criteria shall include the pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the civics test under sub. (1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 4., the criteria apply to pupils enrolled in charter schools located in the school district.
2. The operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that operates high school grades and an individual or group or a person that, pursuant to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33 (2) (c) 1. or 2., or 119.9002 (3) (a) or (b), is responsible for the operation and general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 and that operates high school grades shall develop and periodically review and revise a policy specifying criteria for granting a high school diploma. The criteria shall include the pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the civics test under sub. (1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers.
2m. The governing body of each private school participating in the program under s. 119.23 and the governing body of a private school that, pursuant to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33 (2) (c) 3., or 119.9002 (3) (c), is responsible for the operation and general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 shall develop and periodically review and revise a policy specifying criteria for granting a high school diploma to pupils attending the private school under s. 119.23 or the school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119. The criteria shall include the pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the civics test under sub. (1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers.
2r. The governing body of each private school participating in the program under s. 118.60 shall develop and periodically review and revise a policy specifying criteria for granting a high school diploma to pupils attending the private school under s. 118.60. The criteria shall include the pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the civics test under sub. (1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers.
3. Neither a school board nor an operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) nor an individual or group or person that, pursuant to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33 (2) (c) 1. or 2., or 119.9002 (3) (a) or (b), is responsible for the operation and general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 may grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria specified in the school board's or charter school's policy under subd. 1. or 2. Neither the governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 119.23 nor a governing body of a private school that, pursuant to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33 (2) (c) 3., or 119.9002 (3) (c), is responsible for the operation and general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 may grant a high school diploma to any pupil attending the private school under s. 119.23 or the school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria specified in the governing body's policy under subd. 2m. The governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 118.60 may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil attending the private school under s. 118.60 unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria specified in the governing body's policy under subd. 2r.
4. If a school board enters into an agreement with a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state to establish a charter school, the criteria specified in the policy developed by that school board under subd. 1. apply to pupils enrolled in the charter school, regardless of the location of the charter school.
(g)
1. A school board may grant a technical education high school diploma to a pupil who does all of the following:
a. Satisfies the requirements under par. (a).
b. Earns in the high school grades the same total number of credits that the school board requires of other pupils for high school graduation.
c. Successfully completes a technical education program, established by the school board, in a subject or subjects.
d. Satisfies the requirement under sub. (1m) (a).
2. In establishing a technical education program under subd. 1. c., the school board may incorporate standards for industry-recognized certifications. Annually, the department shall provide to each school board operating high school grades a list of such certifications. The school board shall indicate on a pupil's technical education high school diploma the certifications attained by the pupil.
(1m)
(a)
1. Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, no school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), or governing body of a private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 may, except as provided in subd. 2. and subject to the policies under sub. (2) (m), grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil takes, during the high school grades, a civics test comprised of 100 questions that are identical to the 100 questions that may be asked of an individual during the process of applying for U.S. citizenship by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the pupil correctly answers at least 65 of those questions.
2.
a. Except as provided in subd. 2. b., a school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 shall require a pupil for whom an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect and a parentally placed child with a disability, as defined in 34 CFR 300.130, to complete the civics test described under subd. 1. but may not condition graduation on the successful completion of the test.
b. If a pupil's individualized education program under s. 115.787 or a services plan, as defined in 34 CFR 300.37, includes a statement that it is not appropriate to administer the civics test under subd. 1. to the pupil, a school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 may not make completion of the civics test described under subd. 1. a condition of graduation for that pupil.
3. A school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 shall permit a limited-English proficient pupil, as defined in s. 115.955 (7), to take the civics test described under subd. 1. in the pupil's language of choice.
4. A pupil may retake the civics test described under subd. 1. until the pupil obtains the passing score required under subd. 1.
(b) A school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 may determine the format of the civics test required under this subsection and when in the school year to administer the test.
(2) The state superintendent shall:
(c) Establish course requirements under sub. (1) (a) and approve any school board's high school graduation standards policy that is equivalent to the requirements under subs. (1) and (1m) (a).
(m) Adopt policies to accommodate pupils with exceptional educational interests, needs or requirements, not limited to children with disabilities, as defined under s. 115.76 (5).
(3) By September 1, 1986, each school board operating high school grades shall submit to the state superintendent a report describing the school board's policies and guidelines on high school graduation standards, including a list of courses required under sub. (1) (a) and the number of hours in each school term required to earn one credit under sub. (1) (a), and thereafter shall notify the state superintendent whenever changes are made in such policies or guidelines. The department shall make reasonable efforts to combine the reports required under this subsection with other required school board reports.
(3m) A course taken at a technical college by a child attending the school part-time or in lieu of high school under s. 118.15 (1) (b), or attending the school under s. 118.15 (1) (cm), does not fulfill any of the high school graduation requirements under sub. (1) (a) unless the state superintendent has approved the course for that purpose. If a pupil satisfies all of the high school graduation requirements under subs. (1) and (1m) (a), the school board shall grant a high school diploma to the pupil regardless of whether the pupil satisfied all or a portion of the requirements while attending an institution of higher education under s. 118.55 or a technical college.
(4)
(a) The state superintendent shall establish procedures for school boards to certify to the state superintendent whether they are in compliance with the requirements under sub. (1) and the rules promulgated under sub. (2).
(b) The state superintendent may periodically review school district high school graduation standards and shall notify any school board not in compliance with the requirements under sub. (1) or the rules promulgated under sub. (2), identifying the changes necessary.
(5) The department shall include in its biennial report under s. 15.04 (1) (d) information on the status of statewide high school graduation standards.
(6)
(a)
1. Each school board shall adopt a written policy specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th grade to the 9th grade. The criteria shall include the pupil's score on the examination administered under s. 118.30 (1m) (a) or (am) or s. 118.301 (3), unless the pupil has been excused from taking the examination under s. 118.30 (2) (b); the pupil's academic performance; the recommendations of teachers, which shall be based solely on the pupil's academic performance; and any other academic criteria specified by the school board. Except as provided in par. (b) 1. and 3., the criteria apply to pupils enrolled in charter schools located in the school district.
2. Except as provided in par. (b) 2. and 3., a school board may not promote a 4th grade pupil enrolled in the school district, including a pupil enrolled in a charter school located in the school district, to the 5th grade, and may not promote an 8th grade pupil enrolled in the school district, including a pupil enrolled in a charter school located in the school district, to the 9th grade, unless the pupil satisfies the criteria for promotion specified in the school board's policy adopted under subd. 1.
(b)
1. Each operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) shall adopt a written policy specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th grade to the 9th grade. The criteria shall include the pupil's score on the examination administered under s. 118.30 (1r) (a) or (am) or s. 118.301 (3), unless the pupil has been excused from taking the examination under s. 118.30 (2) (b); the pupil's academic performance; the recommendations of teachers, which shall be based solely on the pupil's academic performance; and any other academic criteria specified by the operator of the charter school.
2. Beginning on September 1, 2002, an operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) may not promote a 4th grade pupil to the 5th grade, and may not promote an 8th grade pupil to the 9th grade, unless the pupil satisfies the criteria for promotion specified in the charter school operator's policy under subd. 1.
3. If a school board enters into an agreement with a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state to establish a charter school, the criteria specified in the policy adopted by that school board under par. (a) 1. apply to pupils enrolled in the charter school and that school board is subject to the prohibitions in par. (a) 2. with respect to pupils enrolled in the charter school, regardless of the location of the charter school.
(c)
1. The governing body of each private school participating in the program under s. 119.23 shall adopt a written policy specifying criteria for promoting a pupil who is attending the private school under s. 119.23 from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th grade to the 9th grade. The criteria shall include the pupil's score on the examination administered under s. 118.30 (1s) (a) or (b) or s. 118.301 (3), unless the pupil has been excused from taking the examination under s. 118.30 (2) (b); the pupil's academic performance; the recommendations of teachers, which shall be based solely on the pupil's academic performance; and any other academic criteria specified by the governing body of the private school.
2. The governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 119.23 may not promote a 4th grade pupil who is attending the private school under s. 119.23 to the 5th grade, and may not promote an 8th grade pupil who is attending the private school under s. 119.23 to the 9th grade, unless the pupil satisfies the criteria for promotion specified in the governing body's policy under subd. 1.
(cm)
1. Except as provided in subds. 2. and 3., beginning on September 1, 2011, a school board may not enroll a child in the first grade in a school in the school district, including in a charter school located in the school district, unless the child has completed 5-year-old kindergarten. Each school board that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall adopt a written policy specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from 5-year-old kindergarten to the first grade.
2. Each school board that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall establish procedures, conditions, and standards for exempting a child from the requirement that the child complete kindergarten as a prerequisite to enrollment in the first grade and for reviewing the denial of an exemption upon the request of the pupil's parent or guardian.
3. A school board that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall enroll in the first grade a child who has not completed kindergarten but who is otherwise eligible to be admitted to and to enroll in first grade as a new or continuing pupil at the time the child moves into this state if one of the following applies:
a. Before either commencing or completing first grade, the child moved into this state from a state, country, or territory in which completion of 5-year-old kindergarten is a prerequisite to entering first grade and the child was exempted from the requirement to complete 5-year-old kindergarten in the state, country, or territory from which the child moved.
b. Before either commencing or completing first grade the child moved into this state from a state, country, or territory in which completion of 5-year-old kindergarten is not a prerequisite to entering first grade.
4. Except as provided in subds. 5. and 6., beginning on September 1, 2011, the operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) may not enroll a child in the first grade in the school unless the child has completed 5-year-old kindergarten. Each operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall adopt a written policy specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from 5-year-old kindergarten to the first grade.
5. Each operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall establish procedures, conditions, and standards for exempting a child from the requirement that the child complete kindergarten as a prerequisite to enrollment in the first grade and for reviewing the denial of an exemption upon the request of the pupil's parent or guardian.
6. The operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that operates a 5-year-old kindergarten program shall enroll in the first grade a child who has not completed kindergarten but who is otherwise eligible to be admitted to and to enroll in first grade as a new or continuing pupil at the time the child moves into this state if one of the following applies:
a. Before either commencing or completing first grade, the child moved into this state from a state, country, or territory in which completion of 5-year-old kindergarten is a prerequisite to entering first grade and the child was exempted from the requirement to complete 5-year-old kindergarten in the state, country, or territory from which the child moved.
b. Before either commencing or completing first grade the child moved into this state from a state, country, or territory in which completion of 5-year-old kindergarten is not a prerequisite to entering first grade.
(cr)
1. The governing body of each private school participating in the program under s. 118.60 shall adopt a written policy specifying criteria for promoting a pupil who is attending the private school under s. 118.60 from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th grade to the 9th grade. The criteria shall include the pupil's score on the examination administered under s. 118.30 (1t) (a) or (b) or s. 118.301 (3), unless the pupil has been excused from taking the examination under s. 118.30 (2) (b); the pupil's academic performance; the recommendations of teachers, which shall be based solely on the pupil's academic performance; and any other academic criteria specified by the governing body of the private school.
2. The governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 118.60 may not promote a 4th grade pupil who is attending the private school under s. 118.60 to the 5th grade, and may not promote an 8th grade pupil who is attending the private school under s. 118.60 to the 9th grade, unless the pupil satisfies the criteria for promotion specified in the governing body's policy under subd. 1.
History: 1983 a. 411; 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 223, 339, 340, 399, 491; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 113, 164; 1999 a. 9, 84, 185; 2001 a. 38, 109; 2003 a. 33; 2009 a. 28, 41, 114; 2011 a. 32, 105, 156; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 63, 138, 237; 2015 a. 55, 212; 2017 a. 59.
NOTE: 1983 Wisconsin Act 411, which created this section, has “Legislative declaration" in section 1.
NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 339, which created sub. (1) (d), contains explanatory notes.

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