Wisconsin colleges would agree to transfer high school course credits

The University of Wisconsin and technical college boards would make agreements for transferring core general education credits. The agreements would cover core general education courses at University of Wisconsin and technical college institutions, and at participating tribal and private colleges. The required agreement would cover at least 72 credits; tribal colleges and private colleges could choose to join it. A separate agreement would cover at least 36 credits at private colleges that choose to participate. A private college could leave out courses that do not fit its religious or professional program requirements. The agreement for at least 72 credits covers high school students’ courses beginning in the 2027–28 academic year. The separate private-college agreement would also begin then.

School districts would pay technical colleges for some courses students take for high school credit. The provisions cover high school students attending a technical college through the program described in the text. The district would pay tuition, course fees, and book costs for courses taken for high school credit, but not for courses comparable to ones offered in the district. Students could appeal a school board decision about whether a course is comparable or meets high school graduation requirements. Students planning to attend in fall would notify their school board by May 1; those planning to attend in spring, by November 1; and those planning to attend in summer, by April 1.

The Department of Workforce Development would support a council and maintain a website about dual enrollment. Dual enrollment programs let high school students earn credit toward both high school and college, including through courses arranged by a high school and a college. The council would study ways to make college-credit pathways clear, affordable, and attainable, then advise the department. The website would provide course and application information and be updated at least once a year. The council would meet at least once a year, and the department would update the website at least once a year.