WISCONSIN — Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday signed a bill that will create a direct admission program for the Universities of Wisconsin.

Top-achieving students, or those who rank either within the top 5% or 10% of their high school class, would be guaranteed admission to specific UW institutions.

The aim is to retain in-state graduates for the state of Wisconsin.

“I’m glad to be signing this important legislation that will help address our state’s generational workforce challenges by ensuring greater access and opportunities for our kids to go to school, start their careers, and build their futures in Wisconsin,” said Evers in a press release.

About 90% of in-state UW graduates stay in Wisconsin for five years after graduation.

As a part of the bill, school boards, charter school operators and governing bodies of private and Tribal high schools operating grades 11 and 12 would be required to create a class ranking of students if there are at least 15 students in the class. That would happen at the end of grade 11.

The Wisconsin Legislature passed the bill last week. It’s part of a larger deal between the Legislature and UW that also limits diversity positions on campuses in exchange for money to cover raises and construction projects.