2021 -- H 5157

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Fenton-Fung, C Lima, Donovan, and
McNamara

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2021

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

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

following section:

     16-22-9.1. Foster care youth academic reports.

     (a) Every superintendent of schools employed in accordance with the provisions of chapter

2 of title 16 shall on or before September 15, 2021, and annually thereafter on or before September

15, complete a report on the progress and status of educational achievement and development of

all foster care youth attending every public school under the superintendent's care and supervision.

The report shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) The total number of foster care youth identified by school and grade of instruction;

     (2) The number of foster care youth receiving supplementary literacy instruction pursuant

to the provisions of § 16-67-2;

     (3) The foster care youth uniform testing scores for testing pursuant to the provisions of §

16-22-9, and the percentage of foster care youth that meet or exceed the mean average score for

uniform testing;

     (4) The percentage of foster care youth meeting academic standards;

     (5) The number and percentage of foster care youth receiving alternative or special

education services;

     (6) The number of foster care youth suspended or expelled from school during the

academic year;

     (7) The number of foster care youth identified as involved in chronic absenteeism, truancy

or as drop-outs; and

     (8) The number of foster care youth assigned to advanced placement.

     (b) If the superintendent determines based on the information provided in the report

prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that foster care youth are disproportionately

failing to meet academic standards or are disproportionately subject to school discipline compared

to overall student population, then the superintendent shall develop a remediation plan and include

the remediation plan as part of the report promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

     (c) Every superintendent shall provide a copy of the reports promulgated pursuant to

subsection (a) of this section to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the

applicable school committee.

     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 -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would provide that every superintendent of schools shall create an annual report

on the progress and status of academic achievement of foster care youth. If foster care youth are

disproportionately failing to meet academic standards a remediation plan would be developed.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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