2013 -- S 0722

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Miller, Sheehan, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Education

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Board of

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Education Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-97-7. Student Advisory Councils - Legislative Purpose. – (a) It is the purpose of the

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councils to provide streamlined communication mechanisms between students, both secondary

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and post-secondary, and the board of education, by:

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     (1) Providing students with the ability to inform policymakers about implementation,

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concerns, and/or practical issues regarding regulations and/or policies, whether proposed or

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promulgated;

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     (2) Bringing voices of students into the conversation about policies and regulations which

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impact their education; and

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     (3) Improving the communication from the board back to students to provide a better

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understanding of the developments and rationale of the policy setting body.

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     (b) There is hereby established a permanent council to be called the "Student Advisory

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Council for Higher Education" that shall advise the state board of education. The council shall be

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comprised of two (2) student representatives from each of our public higher education institutions

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to be chosen by the applicable form of student government, who shall serve a term of two (2)

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years. Upon organizing, the majority of the representatives shall elect a chairperson who shall be

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responsible for advising the board of election on all matters that the council deems appropriate.

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The student advisory council for higher education shall meet no less than four (4) times per year

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and provide the board of education with a minimum of quarterly reports at a regularly scheduled

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board meeting. The members of the student advisory council for higher education shall be

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responsible to coordinate suitable quarters for meetings, meeting notices and any other issues

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regarding meeting coordination. It is strongly encouraged that a member of the student advisory

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council for higher education attend the official meetings of the board of education to report back

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to the members of the council and their student body as to pertinent issues before the board.

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     (c) There is hereby established a permanent council to be called the "Student Advisory

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Council for Secondary Education" that shall advise the board of education. The council shall be

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comprised of one student representative from each school district chosen by the student body.

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Each representative shall be chosen annually no later than October 1. The student advisory

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council for secondary education shall meet and organize initially upon the call of the chairperson

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of the board of education and thereafter at the call of the chairperson of the aforementioned

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council. Upon organization, the members of the council shall elect a chairperson, vice-chair and

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secretary. The chairperson shall be responsible for setting agendas and the overall condition of

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meetings. The vice-chair shall assist the chairperson and be available to represent the chair when

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necessary. The secretary shall be responsible for providing prompt notice of meetings to all

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members and preparing meeting minutes. The student advisory council for secondary education

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may meet up to four (4) times per year and provide the board of education with a minimum of

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semi-annual reports at a regularly scheduled board meeting. Attendance at the meetings of the

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student advisory council may be accomplished in person or via teleconferencing, webcasting or

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other electronic means. It is strongly encouraged that the elected representatives from the school

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district seek a teacher-advisor who could assist in coordinating meetings, notices, and other areas.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

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     This act would create two (2) advisory councils, one for secondary education and one for

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higher education, and provide for their organization, powers and duties.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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