2019 -- H 6240

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LC002878

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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 - CURRICULUM [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE

RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: June 21, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read

as follows:

     16-22-4. Instruction in health and physical education.

     (a) All children in grades one through twelve (12) attending public schools, or any other

schools managed and controlled by the state, except as provided in § 16-100-3(d), shall receive in

those schools instruction in health and physical education under rules and regulations the

department of elementary and secondary education may prescribe or approve during periods that

shall average at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day. No private school or private

instruction shall be approved by any school committee for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title

as substantially equivalent to that required by law of a child attending a public school in the same

city or town unless instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public

schools shall be given. Commencing September 1, 2012, the required health education curriculum

shall be based on the health education standards of the Rhode Island health education framework:

health literacy for all students as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of education and

consistent with the mandated health instructional outcomes therein. Commencing September 1,

2012, the required physical education curriculum shall be based on the physical education

standards of the Rhode Island physical education framework: supporting physically active

lifestyles through quality physical education as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of

education and consistent with the instructional outcomes therein.

     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall incorporate, in

consultation with the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

hospitals, substance-abuse prevention and suicide prevention into the health education

curriculum. For the purpose of this section, "substance-abuse prevention" means the

implementation of evidence-based, age-appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to the

use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; "suicide prevention" means the

implementation of evidence-based, appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to mental

health awareness and suicide prevention.

     SECTION 2. Section 16-100-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-100 entitled "Dual

Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     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 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; and any other criteria that the Board

deems appropriate.

     (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) Students in grade twelve (12) enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a

dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus

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shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in § 16-22-4(a).

     SECTION 3. 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 - CURRICULUM [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE

RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

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     This act would exempt those students in grade twelve (12) who are enrolled full-time in a

dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus

from the requirement that they complete health and physical education courses.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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