2022 -- S 2284

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LC003718

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Senators Quezada, Cano, Murray, and Euer

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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following section:

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     16-22-36. Dual language immersion model policy and timeline.

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     (a) The Rhode Island department of education ("department"), in consultation with local

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education agencies ("LEAs") that have a dual language immersion program, shall create a model

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policy and timeline to assist LEAs in developing and implementing a dual language immersion

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program.

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     (b) The LEAs approached by the department to consult on the model policy and timeline

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pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall cooperate with the department's requests or inquires

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related to any dual language immersion program in a timely manner.

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     (c) The model policy and timeline shall:

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     (1) Be accessed easily by LEAs through electronic publication or other public distribution;

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     (2) Include, but need not be limited to:

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     (i) A detailed description of best practices;

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     (ii) A step-by-step timeline; and

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     (iii) A list of sources consulted and additional resources to which LEAs may refer if any

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questions arise concerning the development and implementation of a dual language immersion

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program.

 

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     (d) The model policy and timeline shall be sent to the president of the senate and the

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speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2023. The department shall also report to the

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general assembly, beginning on July 31, 2023 and annually thereafter, the number of LEAs with

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dual language immersion programs, the number of students served in a dual language immersion

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program by grade level, and the number of teachers for each grade with a dual language immersion

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program for the most recent school year.

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     (e) The Rhode Island department of education shall:

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     (1) Research the educational impact of dual language immersion programs across New

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England and report the findings to the general assembly no later than July 31, 2023; and

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     (2) Encourage LEAs to expand or develop courses in world languages in order that students

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in elementary and middle schools have access to such courses.

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     (f) For the purposes of this section, "local education agencies" shall include all of the

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following within the state of Rhode Island:

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     (1) Public school districts;

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     (2) Regional school districts;

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     (3) State-operated schools;

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     (4) Regional collaborative schools; and

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     (5) Charter schools.

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     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 require the department of education to create a model policy and timeline

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to assist local education agencies in implementing a dual language immersion program. This model

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policy and timeline would be sent to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house by

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January 1, 2023 with annual reports commencing July 1, 2023 and thereafter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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