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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 - THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Pearson, DiPalma, Seveney, and Rogers

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     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:

     16-22-34. The basic education program.

     (a) For the purposes of this chapter, the "basic education program" (BEP) means a set of

regulations promulgated by the council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to its

delegated statutory authority to determine standards for the Rhode Island public education system

and the maintenance of local appropriation to support its implementation under Rhode Island

general laws.

     (b) The basic education program shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following

basic elements:

     (1) A standard for students who are English language learners; and

     (2) Any other requirements set forth elsewhere in Rhode Island general laws or

departmental regulations.

     (c) By August 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the department of elementary and

secondary education (the "department") shall review BEP compliance of each local education

agency (LEA) within the state. The department shall:

     (1) Assess programmatic compliance with the BEP to ensure high-quality education is

available to all public school students, regardless of where they reside or which school they attend;

     (2) Determine the incremental cost to meet the BEP utilizing uniform chart of account

(UCOA) data from the LEA and all LEAs statewide;

     (3) Determine the sufficiency of both the state and the local education aid to the LEA to

meet the BEP; and

     (4) If a deficiency exists in the local education aid to the LEA to meet the BEP, the

department shall consult with the department of revenue to issue a joint report to the general

assembly on the feasibility of the municipality to raise sufficient funds to meet the BEP standard

set in law.

     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 EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

ACT

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     This act would provide that a "basic education program" consisting of regulations

promulgated by the council an elementary and secondary education shall provide standards for

English language learners. The department of elementary and secondary education would review

basic education program compliance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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