2022 -- S 2291

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LC004678

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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 Pearson, Cano, Seveney, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2022

     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:

     16-22-36. Instruction support.

     (a) For the purpose of this section, "local education agencies" ("LEAs") shall include all of

the following within the state of Rhode Island:

     (1) Public school districts;

     (2) Regional school districts;

     (3) State-operated schools;

     (4) Regional collaborative schools; and

     (5) Charter schools.

     (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education (the "commissioner") shall

direct the department of elementary and secondary education (the "department") to provide

professional support and assistance in partnership with LEAs regarding effective ways to evaluate,

on an ongoing basis, student improvement and proficiency. The goal of such support shall be to

increase student achievement consistent with state standards. In general, such support shall include,

but need not be limited to:

     (1) The department understanding the LEA's size, budget, and demographics to support

and tailor the development of effective systems;

     (2) The department assisting the LEA in a budget review to identify, maximize, restructure,

and/or add a curriculum leadership infrastructure. At the district level, personnel may include:

assistant superintendents, district curriculum directors or coordinators; at the school level,

personnel may include: teaching and learning coaches, mentor/induction coaches, content leaders,

and teacher leaders; and

     (3) The department providing the LEA with ongoing opportunities to understand the

design, use, and impact of assessments, as well as how they may guide shifts in curriculum

instruction.

     (b) Specifically, such support shall include, but is not limited to:

     (1) Engaging in a root-cause analysis;

     (2) Designing student assessments to provide data that captures student improvement and

proficiency accurately;

     (3) Using and analyzing the data collected to inform LEA actions including, but not limited

to, modification of instructional techniques;

     (4) Identifying assets and challenges;

     (5) Discussing the role that leadership, culture, and social climate play in the individual

schools within the LEA; and

     (6) Collaborating with teachers, students, administrators, parents, and any other

stakeholders regarding barriers to learning and improving school culture.

     (c) The commissioner shall provide quarterly reports to the board of education regarding

the reallocation and use of department resources to support LEAs pursuant to this section.

     (d) On or before June 30, 2023, and every year thereafter on or before June 30, the

commissioner shall report to the committees having jurisdiction over education issues in the senate

and the house of representatives, the results of the support efforts provided in this section.

     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 direct the department of elementary and secondary education to provide

professional support and assistance to local education agencies ("LEAs") regarding effective ways

to use data such as the LEA's budget and demographics, school culture, and assessments to improve

student performance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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