| Chapter 362 |
| 2022 -- H 8347 Enacted 06/29/2022 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM |
Introduced By: Representative Raymond A. Hull |
| Date Introduced: June 16, 2022 |
| 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 16-22-37. Dual language immersion model policy and timeline. |
| (a) The Rhode Island department of education ("department"), in consultation with local |
| education agencies ("LEAs") that have a dual language immersion program, shall create a model |
| policy and timeline to assist LEAs in developing and implementing a dual language immersion |
| program. |
| (b) The LEAs approached by the department to consult on the model policy and timeline |
| pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall cooperate with the department's requests or inquires |
| inquiries related to any dual language immersion program in a timely manner. |
| (c) The model policy and timeline shall: |
| (1) Be accessed easily by LEAs through electronic publication or other public distribution; |
| and |
| (2) Include, but need not be limited to: |
| (i) A detailed description of best practices; |
| (ii) A step-by-step timeline; and |
| (iii) A list of sources consulted and additional resources to which LEAs may refer if any |
| questions arise concerning the development and implementation of a dual language immersion |
| program. |
| (d) The model policy and timeline shall be sent to the president of the senate and the |
| speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2023. The department shall also report to the |
| general assembly, beginning on July 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the number of LEAs with |
| dual language immersion programs, the number of students served in a dual language immersion |
| program by grade level, and the number of teachers for each grade with a dual language immersion |
| program for the most recent school year. |
| (e) The Rhode Island department of education shall: |
| (1) Research the educational impact of dual language immersion programs across New |
| England and report the findings to the general assembly no later than July 31, 2023; and |
| (2) Encourage LEAs to expand or develop courses in world languages in order that students |
| in elementary and middle schools have access to such these courses. |
| (f) For the purposes of this section, "local education agencies" 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. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC006118 |
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