PI 3, Wisconsin Licenses - School Administration

Note: Chapter PI 3 as it existed on June 30, 2004 was repealed effective July 1, 2004. See Chapter PI 34 for replacement rules.

Subchapter XII - School Administration

PI 3.55 School administration: general provisions

PI 3.56 School district superintendent

PI 3.57 PK-12 principal - 51

PI 3.59 K-12 Director of instruction

PI 3.60 Director of special education and pupil services

PI 3.605 Special education supervisor level A-81

PI 3.606 Special education supervisor level B-82.

PI 3.61 School business administrator

PI 3.62 Local vocational education coordinator

PI 3.63 Instructional library media supervisor

Subchapter XII - School Administration

PI 3.55 School administration: general provisions.(1) APPLICABILITY. (a) Except as provided in sub. (2), a regular license under this subchapter is required for employment as a superintendent, principal, assistant principal, director of instruction, director of special education and pupil services, school business administrator, local vocational education coordinator or instructional library media supervisor. All administrative licenses permit the holder to serve in any elementary, middle, or secondary level school. A regular license under this subchapter requires completion of the general requirements under sub. (3) and the specific requirements for the license in ss. PI 3.56 to 3.63.

(b) Any person who completes an administrative program on or after July 1, 1992, shall meet the requirements of this subchapter, except that persons who are admitted to an approved administrator preparation program in a Wisconsin institution before July 1, 1992, may be issued a license based on the requirements of the approved program in effect at the time of admission.

(2) ISSUANCE OF ONE YEAR LICENSES FOR ADMINISTRATION. The department may issue a one-year license to serve as an administrator to a person who does not fully meet the requirements for a regular license, only as follows:

(a) The employing school board shall make the request to the department, in writing.

(b) The applicant shall have been admitted to an approved program under subch. IX of ch. PI 34, leading to a regular license for the administrative position.

(c) The applicant shall submit a written plan to the department for completion of the approved program within 2 years. The written plan shall be approved by the institution offering the approved program and by the employing school board.

(d) For one-year license to serve as a superintendent, the applicant shall possess a master's degree or the equivalent.

(e) A license under this subsection may be renewed one time for one year, upon the written request made by formal action of the school board and with satisfactory evidence from the institution offering the approved program that the applicant can complete the approved program in one year.

(3) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. An applicant for a license under this subchapter shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Degree. 1. An applicant for a superintendent license shall have completed an approved specialist degree program or the equivalent. Except as specified under subd. 2., for all other licenses under this subchapter, the applicant shall have completed an approved master's degree program or the equivalent in the area of administration; or a master's degree or the equivalent and an approved program leading to a license under this subchapter.

2. An applicant for a local vocational education coordinator license is not required to meet the requirement under subd. 1.

(b) Human growth and development. 1. Except as specified in subd. 2., the applicant shall have completed graduate or undergraduate course work in each of the following:

a. Child psychology or human growth and development.

b. Early adolescent psychology or human growth and development.

c. Adolescent psychology or human growth and development.

2. An applicant for a school business administrator license is not required to meet the requirement in subd. 1.

(c) Common core. 1. Except as specified in subd. 2., the applicant shall have completed 21 graduate semester credits including all of the following:

a. Human relations.

b. Oral and written communication.

c. Educational leadership including participatory management, long-range strategic planning and change agent processes.

d. Organization and operation of public schools, including school and community relations.

e. Governance of education at the national, state and local levels.

f. Supervision of instruction, including program planning and evaluation.

g. Evaluation of personnel.

h. School law.

i. School business administration and budgeting, including school finance and taxation.

j. Politics of education.

2. An applicant for the school business administrator license shall have completed 18 semester credits as described in subd. 1 except the requirement under subd. 1. f. does not have to be met. Applicants for the local vocational education coordinator license and the instructional library media supervisor license are not required to meet the requirements in subd. 1.

(d) Professional education. 1. Except as specified in subd. 2, the applicant shall have completed 18 semester credits of professional educational course work not included as part of an approved program leading to a license under this subchapter and shall meet one of the following requirements:

a. The applicant shall hold or be eligible to hold a license to teach at the elementary, elementary/middle, middle, middle/secondary or secondary level or to teach grades kindergarten through 12, or shall have completed an approved program leading to one of these licenses.

b. The applicant shall hold or be eligible to hold a license as a school counselor, a school psychologist, or a school social worker, or shall have completed an approved program leading to one of these licenses.

2. An applicant for school business administrator license is not required to meet the requirements in subd. 1. Applicants for local vocational education coordinator license under s. PI 3.62 and instructional library media supervisor license under s. PI 3.63 shall meet the specific requirements for the license in lieu of the requirements in subd. 1.

(e) Experience. 1. Except as specified in subd. 2., the applicant shall have completed one of the following:

a. Three years of successful full-time teaching at the elementary, elementary/middle, middle, middle/secondary, secondary, or grades kindergarten through 12 level.

b. Three years of successful experience as a school counselor, a school psychologist, or a school social worker, which included evidence of at least 540 hours of successful classroom teaching experience.

2. An applicant for school business administrator license is not required to meet the requirement in subd. 1. Applicants for local vocational education coordinator license and instructional library media supervisor license shall meet the specific requirements for the license in lieu of the requirements in subd. 1.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; am. (2) (intro.), Register, March, 1992, No. 435, eff. 4-1-92; renum. (3) (a) to be (3) (a) 1. and am., cr. (3) (a) 2., am. (3) (c) 2., Register, November, 1992, No. 443, eff. 12-1-92; emerg. am. (1) (a) (intro.), eff. 8-21-95; am. (1) (a) (intro.), Register, May, 1996, No. 485, eff. 6-1-96.

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PI 3.56 School district superintendent - 03.The superintendent - 03 license permits the holder to serve as a superintendent or an assistant superintendent. In addition, s. 118.24 (2) (d), Stats., permits the superintendent to designate herself or himself to serve as principal or teacher in any school under her or his supervision while the person is employed and serving as a licensed superintendent. For the initial or regular license, the applicant shall meet the following requirements, in addition to the general requirements under s. PI 3.55:

(1) The applicant shall hold or be eligible to hold the principal license.

(2) The applicant shall have completed an approved program or the equivalent leading to licensure as a superintendent, which includes, 12 graduate semester credits including all of the following:

(a) Superintendency.

(b) Advanced program planning and evaluation.

(d) Advanced politics of education.

(e) Personnel administration.

(f) Collective bargaining and contract administration.

(g) Practicum or internship in the superintendency.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; am. (1), Register, September, 1996, No. 489, eff. 10-1-96.

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PI 3.57 PK-12 principal - 51.The PK-12 principal - 51 license permits the holder to serve as a principal or an assistant principal in an elementary, middle, or secondary level school. Persons holding an elementary/middle level principal license - 34 license or middle/secondary level principal - 24 license are automatically eligible to receive a license under this paragraph upon application to the department. For an initial or regular license, in addition to the general requirements in s. PI 3.55, the applicant shall have completed an approved program or the equivalent leading to licensure as a principal, which includes 12 graduate semester credits including all of the following:

(1) The role of the principal, including instructional leadership and operational tasks.

(2) Coordination of special school programs.

(3) Curriculum development at the PK-12 level.

(4) Practicum or internship as a principal at the elementary, middle, or secondary level.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90; emerg. r. and recr. eff. 8-21-95; r. and recr. Register, May, 1996, No. 485, eff. 6-1-96.

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PI 3.59 K-12 Director of instruction - 10.(1) Except as provided under sub. (2), a director of instruction -10 license permits the holder to serve as supervisor, curriculum coordinator or director of instruction. For a license under this section, the applicant shall have met all of the following requirements, in addition to the general requirements under s. PI 3.55:

(a) The applicant shall have completed an approved program or the equivalent leading to the director of instruction license, which includes 12 graduate semester credits including all of the following:

1. Coordination of special school programs.

2. Advanced instructional program planning and evaluation.

3. Educational tests and measurements.

4. Kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum development, including elementary, middle and secondary levels.

5. Practicum or internship in the director of instruction.

(2) Persons who hold the supervisor, coordinator or director - 10 license may serve as kindergarten through grade 12 director of instruction. Persons who have at least one year of experience prior to July 1, 1992, under the supervisor, coordinator, or director - 15 or 20 license may be issued a license under this section.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

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PI 3.60 Director of special education and pupil services - 80.(1) A director of special education and pupil services - 80 license permits the holder to administer a special education program or a pupil services program, or both. Except as specified in sub. (2), for a regular license under this section the applicant shall meet the following requirements, in addition to the general requirements under s. PI 3.55:

(a) The applicant shall have completed an approved program leading to licensure as a director of special education and pupil services, which includes 12 semester hours of graduate course work including all of the following:

1. Administration and supervision of special education programs.

2. Administration and supervision of pupil services programs.

3. Educational tests and measurements.

4. Practicum or internship in director of special education and pupil services.

(2) (a) Persons who hold a special education supervisor- level A-81 license may be issued a regular license under this section.

(b) Persons who have served as pupil services director for at least 50% time for at least 5 years prior to July 1, 1991, may be issued a regular license under this section. Persons who have served as pupil services director prior to July 1, 1991, but for less than 5 years, may be issued a one-year license under s. PI 3.55 (2), to enable them to complete the requirements of sub. (1). The one-year license may be renewed if the applicant provides documentation of satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of sub. (1).

(c) Persons who have served as a director in a specific pupil services area for at least 50% time for at least 3 years prior to July 1, 1991, may be issued a regular license as a director of that specific area. Persons who have served as a director in a specific pupil services area at least 50% time for less than 3 years may be issued a one-year license under s. PI 3.55 (2), to enable them to complete the requirements of sub. (1). The one-year license may be renewed if the applicant provides documentation of satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of sub. (1). A license under this paragraph may only be issued to persons who meet the requirements and apply for the license on or before June 30, 1992.

(d) Until July 1, 1995, persons who hold a special education supervisor - level B - 82 license may be issued a regular license under this section upon completion of a level A approved program under s. PI 3.605.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

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PI 3.605 Special education supervisor - level A - 81.Effective July 1, 1992, the special education supervisor - level A - 81 license is no longer issued. However, until July 1, 1995, persons holding a special education supervisor - level B - 82 license may complete an approved program under this section in order to be issued a regular license under s. PI 3.60 (2) (a). The applicant shall have completed a specialist's degree or the equivalent, one year of graduate work in special education beyond the master's degree or a minimum of 18 semester credits of postmaster's graduate credits in special education of which at least 12 semester credits of this graduate work shall be in areas other than the original area of specialization in special education.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; renum. from PI 3.63 and am. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

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PI 3.606 Special education supervisor - level B - 82.A regular license to serve as a level B special education supervisor under s. PI 11.14 may be issued to an applicant who has obtained the institutional endorsement and has completed or possesses all of the following:

(1) Eligibility for a license or completion of an approved program.

(2) A license or degree in at least one field of exceptionality.

(3) A master's degree in any field.

(4) A minimum of 3 years of elementary, middle, or secondary level teaching experience.

(5) Graduate courses in all of the following:

(a) Child or adolescent psychology, or both.

(b) General curriculum.

(d) Introduction to guidance.

(e) Supervision of instruction.

(6) A core of at least 6 graduate semester credits in one of the following:

(a) Administration and supervision of special education programs.

(b) Field work or internship in the administration and supervision of special education programs.

(7) The state superintendent may substitute equivalent credit after reviewing verification of the applicant's competence in this area.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; renum. under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, November, 1990, No. 419.

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PI 3.61 School business administrator - 08.(1) Except as specified in sub. (2), the school business administrator - 08 license is required for the person who has primary budget and fiscal responsibility in the school district. For a license under this section the applicant shall meet all of the general requirements under s. PI 3.55 which do not provide an exception for this license, and all of the following requirements:

(2) The applicant shall have successfully completed an approved program leading to licensure as a school business administrator, which includes 18 semester credits of graduate course work, including all of the following:

(a) Accounting.

(b) Data management and processing.

(d) School facilities.

(e) One of the following:

1. Collective bargaining.

2. Employe contract administration.

3. Support services

(f) Practicum or internship in school business administration.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; r. and recr. Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

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PI 3.62 Local vocational education coordinator - 65:The local vocational education coordinator - 65 license permits the holder to serve as supervisor or coordinator in a school district's vocational education program. A regular license under this section may be issued to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Holds a license in agriculture under s. PI 3.21 (1) or in a vocational subject area under s. PI 3.22 and has completed course work in all of the following areas:

(a) Curriculum planning and development-general;

(b) Guidance with an emphasis on career development;

(d) Organization and administration of cooperative vocational programs;

(e) School administration;

(f) Supervision of instruction.

(2) Has work experience outside of teaching which includes at least 2,000 hours in one or more occupational fields. With the prior approval of the state superintendent, college field experience resulting in college credit or participation in a workshop may be used to satisfy the occupational requirements under this subsection, as follows: one clock hour of approved college field experience or of approved workshop experience counts up to 3 clock hours of occupational experience.

(3) Has completed 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience in agriculture or in a vocational subject area under s. PI 3.22 or 2 years of successful classroom teaching experience in agriculture or in a vocational subject under s. PI 3.22 and an additional 2 years of successful experience in administration and guidance.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; renum. from PI 3.64 and am. (intro.), (1) (intro.), (2) and (3), Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

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PI 3.63 Instructional library media supervisor.The instructional library media supervisor license - 91 permits the holder to provide instructional library media program supervision, leadership, coordination or facilitation. For the regular instructional library media supervisor - 91 license, the applicant shall meet all the following requirements:

(1) Holds or is eligible for the instructional library media specialist - 902 license under s. PI 3.42.

(2) Has 3 years of successful experience as an instructional library media specialist while holding either the instructional library media - 901 license under s. PI 3.41 or initial or regular instructional library media specialist - 902 license under s. PI 3.42.

(3) Has completed a master's degree from an approved library media services program plus 12 graduate semester credits in educational administration, school personnel management, supervision of instruction, and district level library media program supervision from an approved program covering all of the following competency areas:

(a) General principles of organizing, operating, financing, and administering elementary, middle, and secondary level schools.

(b) Supervision of instruction at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

(d) Administration and supervision of library media programs at the district level, including;

1. Evaluation and planning of program and services.

2. Management of personnel and financial resources.

3. Analysis of current trends in providing library media services.

4. Application of research methodologies.

5. Application of networking, automation, and advanced communication technologies.

6. Application of appropriate laws and regulations.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1988, No. 388, eff. 5-1-88; renum. from PI 3.65 and am. (intro.), Register, November, 1990, No. 419, eff. 12-1-90.

Questions about this topic should be directed to Educator Licensing.

Last updated on 3/3/2008 9:33:11 AM

PI 3, WISCONSIN LICENSES - School Administration