2019 -- H 6085

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LC002572

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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 - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Barros, Ackerman, Bennett, Corvese, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: May 09, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See

Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

thereto the following section:

     16-11-9. Fast-track principal certification program.

     (a) The department of elementary and secondary education (the "department") shall

establish a fast-track principal certification program.

     (b) The fast-track principal certification program shall include, but need not be limited to,

the following courses:

     (1) School finance;

     (2) School law; and

     (3) Program evaluation, including data analysis.

     (c) Participants will earn a principal certification after successful completion of the

courses required in subsection (b) of this section, and successful completion of the following

three (3) requirements:

     (1) A year-long internship shadowing a principal in the district where the participant is

currently employed;

     (2) Leading a district- or school-wide initiative; and

     (3) Successfully passing assessment requirements for Rhode Island principal certification.

     (d) To be eligible for admission into the fast-track principal certification program, an

applicant shall:

     (1) Have a minimum of ten (10) years' experience as a teacher rated "effective" or "highly

effective";

     (2) Have a recommendation from the superintendent(s) of the local education agency

(LEA) or agencies in which the applicant worked as a teacher previously, or is working currently;

     (3) Have a record of consistent leadership within an LEA, demonstrated through serving

as a facilitator of professional development, a dean, a district coach, a department chair, or in

another leadership position within a school or LEA; and

     (4) Possess a master's degree or higher.

     (e) Participants who earn a principal certification pursuant to this section shall complete a

department-approved leadership development program to build leadership skills that support

teaching and learning within the first renewal cycle of their certification.

     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 - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

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     This act would allow teachers to obtain fast-track certification as a principal.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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