2016 -- H 8308

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representative Gregg Amore

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     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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     16-97-9. Comprehensive study -- Unified approach to statewide education. – (a) The

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board of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education

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and the commissioner of postsecondary education, shall undertake a comprehensive study of the

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alignment of the core curriculum used by the various school districts throughout the state with the

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goals and objectives of the state's colleges and universities:

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     (1) The main objective of the study shall be to determine a unified approach for education

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within and across the state that encompasses the education and development of workforce skills,

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of our youth and adult learners, from kindergarten through the graduation of college or the

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entrance into the workforce;

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     (2) The study shall include, at a minimum, recommended policy objectives,

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implementation strategies, and a timetable for the implementation of the policies and the

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formulation of the rules and regulations necessary to achieve a unified approach and curriculum

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for schools under the authority of the council and in furtherance of the objectives of the state

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colleges and universities.

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     (b) The board shall report its findings to the speaker of the house of representatives and

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the president of the senate no later than July 1, 2017.

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     (c) The board of education shall base its timetable for implementation of the unified

 

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approach to education on the time necessary to promulgate rules and regulations with respect to

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the following policies:

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     (l) Instituting a process for drawing up curriculum frameworks for the core subjects

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covered by the academic standards adopted by the board (common core state standards):

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     (i) The curriculum frameworks shall:

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     (A) Present approaches and strategies for assisting students in the development of the

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skills, competencies and knowledge called for by these standards; and

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     (B) Provide sufficient detail as to provide objective measures and standards to be met by

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students and to assist in the education, professional development, certification and evaluation of

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both active and aspiring teachers;

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     (ii) The establishment of curriculum frameworks, and any further revisions, shall be open

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and consultative, and take into consideration:

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     (A) The knowledge and experiences of classroom teachers, school administrators, faculty

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of schools of education, parents, and any other persons with the knowledge and experience that

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may assist the committee in the furtherance of its objectives;

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     (B) Other accepted curriculum frameworks, model curricula, content standards,

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attainment targets, courses of study and instruction materials currently being used or in the

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process of being implemented in the United States;

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     (C) Approaches being taken internationally that may be of assistance; and

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     (D) The exploration of collaborative development efforts with other projects, including

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but not limited to, the national New Standards Project;

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     (iii) The curriculum frameworks shall be constructed to guide and assist teachers,

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administrators, publishers, software developers and other interested parties in the development

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and selection of curricula, textbooks, technology and other instructional materials, and in the

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design of pedagogical approaches and techniques for elementary, secondary and vocational-

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technical schools.

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     (2) Develop a school based management model that shall be submitted to the general

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assembly and the governor for consideration. The management model, at a minimum, shall

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include:

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     (i) A process where the superintendent of a school system hires the principals for their

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schools and the principal of the selected school hires their teachers;

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     (ii) An appropriate level of educational opportunities for teachers and administrators to

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learn and continue to develop the skills and leadership qualities necessary to become effective

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administrators and principals;

 

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     (iii) The creation of a school council to assist in the management and to provide support

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to each public elementary, secondary and independent vocational school utilizing the school

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based management model; and

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     (iv) A recommended transition plan that provides guidance and support to local districts

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in implementing the school based management model.

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     (3) Establish a professional development plan for educational professionals within the k-

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12 system based upon the successful implementation of similar programs by other school

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systems/departments throughout the country and the most efficient way to implement similar

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practices in the state. In addition to continued professional development, any program offered by

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the board of education shall offer opportunities that encourage the development of leadership

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skills and the professional advancement of teachers to administrative positions.

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     (4) Ensure that all students, regardless of residence or economic status are provided an

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opportunity to succeed; and to develop, based on best practices, the system and processes

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necessary to support the early intervention and long-term development of children from low

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income families to maintain learning skills and school success and improve their ability to

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compete in their chosen endeavor after exiting the secondary school system.

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     (d) The general assembly shall make an appropriation of an additional one hundred and

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fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) to the board of education's FY-2017 budget to support the goals

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of this section as provided herein.

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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 authorize the expenditure of funds to conduct a comprehensive study on a

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unified approach to statewide education.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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