2019 -- H 5429

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Price, Phillips, Amore, and Morin

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-100-2, 16-100-3 and 16-100-4 of the General Laws in Chapter

16-100 entitled "Dual Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-100-2. Definition.

     "Dual Enrollment" means that a student is enrolled in a secondary school or is home

schooled at the secondary level, while simultaneously enrolled part-time or full-time at a local

institution of higher learning, such as a community college or university.

     16-100-3. Policy implemented.

     (a) The Board of Education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide dual enrollment

policy that shall allow students to enroll in courses at postsecondary institutions to satisfy

academic credit requirements in both high school, including home schooling at the secondary

level, and the aforementioned postsecondary institutions. The regulations shall address the

postsecondary institution's graduation requirements, if any; the institution's ability to award

degrees/certificates in Rhode Island; the minimum course grade to receive credit at the student's

secondary school or home schooling; and any other criteria that the Board deems appropriate. A

student whose course of at-home instruction at the secondary level has been approved by the

school committee of the municipality or district where the student resides (a "home-schooled

student"), pursuant to §§ 16-19-1 and 16-19-2, shall be eligible to participate in the dual

enrollment policy to the same extent as other public school students within the municipality or

district; provided, however, the board may limit the courses offered to home-schooled students to

those courses being offered by the school district in which the home-schooled student resides.

     (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives

from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of the postsecondary

commissioner, superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance

counselors, and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to

a dual enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to chapter 7.2 of title

16; academic supports; transportation; possible shared costs of the education; possible fee

schedules; manners in which low-income students could access the program; and possible

contracted tuition costs with our public higher education institutions.

     (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments to public institutions of higher

education for dual and concurrent enrollment shall be limited to no greater than the appropriation

contained in the appropriations act. On or before September 30, 2017, the council on

postsecondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations enforcing this limitation.

     (d) The board, in collaboration with the state institutions of post-secondary education,

shall ensure that the same policies regarding the cost for and payment of dual enrollment courses

pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are consistently applied to public school students and

home-schooled students alike.

     16-100-4. Dual enrollment adoption.

     School districts and schools must adopt the statewide dual enrollment policy promulgated

pursuant to this section by June 30, 2015. All school districts, charter schools, career and

technical schools, approved private day or residential schools, home schoolers, and collaborative

schools shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

     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 -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     This act would extend the benefits of the dual enrollment equal opportunity act to cover

home-schooled students.

     The act would also direct the board of education to ensure that the same policies

regarding the cost for and payment of dual enrollment courses are consistently applied to public

school students and home-schooled students alike.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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