Gov. Walker signs high school credits bill in West Bend

WEST BEND (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a bill that allows seventh and eighth grade students to get high school credits.

Wisconsin law only allowed students in grades nine through 12 to obtain high school credits.

But the bill that unanimously passed the Legislature says seventh and eighth graders can get the credits if certain conditions are met.

The courses have to be taught by a teacher licensed to teach the subject matter to high school students. The court also has to be taught using the same curriculum and tests that high schoolers get.

The middle school student must also demonstrate that he or she is academically prepared for the course work. Walker signed the bill at Badger Middle School in West Bend.