Chapter 523

2016 -- S 2554 Enacted 08/11/2016

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT

Introduced By: Senators Metts, Pichardo, Crowley, DiPalma, and Gallo

Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Board of

Education Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

16-97-910. Closing the achievement gap. -- The board of education and council on

elementary and secondary education shall adopt a state goal of closing the achievement gaps in

third-grade reading and third-grade math for all groups and subgroups of student population by

fifty percent (50%) by school year 2020 and closure in its entirety by 2025. The board of

education shall direct the council on postsecondary education, in conjunction with the

Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island,

to develop strategies to increase the recruitment of minority teacher-preparation students in an

effort to increase diversity in the teaching profession. The board of education, in conjunction with

the department of elementary and secondary education and the office of the postsecondary

commissioner, shall develop a plan and shall set state goals to close all achievement and

opportunity gaps across the PK – 20 public system of education.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004954

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