Chapter 136

2003 -- H 5825 Substitute a As Amended

Enacted 07/10/03

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

Introduced By: Representatives Crowley, and Sherlock

Date Introduced: February 11, 2003

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-11.2-2 and 16-11.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11.2

entitled "Qualifications of Teacher Assistants" are hereby amended to read as follows:

16-11.2-2. General qualifications of teacher assistants. -- No person shall be employed

as a teacher assistant in any school supported in whole or in part by public funds unless he or she

shall:

      (1) Be of good character as verified by the employer;

      (2) Hold a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma or demonstrate literacy

skills (including reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics) necessary to work with teachers

and students;

      (3) For any person hired after January 1, 1999, complete a training program in

compliance with the teacher assistant program standards developed by the department of

elementary and secondary education pursuant to section 16-11.2-1. The training program shall not

be required of those persons employed as a teacher assistant in another Rhode Island school

district prior to January 1, 1999, those who hold certification as a teacher assistant in another

state, or those who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and have completed coursework or

other training consistent with the teacher assistant program standards developed by the

department of elementary and secondary education. ;

(4) If hired after January 8, 2002 and providing an instructional service, have completed

at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education, obtained an associate's (or

higher) degree; or otherwise met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a

formal state or local academic assessment an appropriate level of: (i) knowledge of, and the

ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or (ii) knowledge of, and the

ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as

appropriate. Assessments developed at the local level may consist of performance assessments

documenting teacher assistant skills; and

(5) If hired on or before January 8, 2002, and providing instructional service, meet the

requirements set forth in subsection subdivision (4) herein not later than January 8, 2006. The Employer shall pay for up to two (2) test administration fees for all teacher assistants hired prior to July 1, 2003.

16-11.2-3. Continued professional development of teacher assistants. -- (a) As a

condition of continued employment every person employed as a teacher assistant shall participate

in ongoing professional development.

      (b) Each school district or institution employing teacher assistants shall maintain records

on a teacher assistant's completion of:

      (1) Training for the work assignment. ;

      (2) Continuing education and relevant coursework. ;

      (3) For any person hired after January 1, 1999, a certificate of completion from a training

program which complied with the teaching assistant training program standards developed by the

department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to section 16-11.2-1. ; and/or

(4) The requirements set forth in subsection section 16-11.2-2(4).

     SECTION 2. Section 16-11.2-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11.2 entitled

"Qualifications of Teacher Assistants" is hereby amended as follows:

16-11.2-5. Standardized testing. - - Except as provided in subsection section 16-11.2-2, no No

person shall be deemed not qualified to be a teacher assistant under this chapter solely because of

his or her score on any standardized teacher assistant's examination. Nothing contained in this

section shall be construed to require standardized testing for noninstructional teaching assistant

positions.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01901/SUB A/2

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