115.884 Special education transition grants.

(1) In the 2016-17 school year and each school year thereafter, from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (bf), the department shall award an incentive grant in the amount of $1,000 per individual to a school district, or to an operator of a charter school established under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), that applies for a grant under this section and that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the individual satisfies all of the following criteria:

(a) During the school year prior to the school year preceding the school year in which a school district or operator of the charter school applies to receive a grant under this section, all of the following criteria apply to the individual:

1. The individual was enrolled in a high school in the school district or in a high school grade in the charter school.

2. The individual exited the high school in the school district or exited the charter school.

3. An individualized education program was in effect for the individual.

(b) At the time the school district or the operator of the charter school applies to receive a grant under this section, one of the following criteria applies to the individual:

1. The individual had enrolled in a higher education program within one year of exiting high school. In this subdivision, “higher education program" means a 4-year program at a college or university, a 2-year program at a college or community college, or a 2-year program at a technical college.

2. The individual had enrolled in other postsecondary education or training within one year of exiting high school. In this subdivision, “other postsecondary education or training" includes a high school completion or equivalency program, a vocational school, an apprenticeship or short-term training program, an on-the-job training program, an adult education program, and a program, other than a 2-year program, at a vocational or technical school.

3. The individual had been, or remains, competitively employed within one year of exiting high school. In this subdivision, “competitively employed" means 90 days or more of cumulative or consecutive work paying minimum wage or greater for an average of at least 20 hours per week in a setting with others who are not disabled.

(2) If the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (bf) in any fiscal year is insufficient to pay the full amount under sub. (1), the department shall prorate the amount of its payments among school districts and operators of charter schools established under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) that are eligible for an incentive grant under this section.

History: 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59.