Chapter 371
2024 -- S 2042 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/26/2024

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPARENCY IN ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS AND PROFICIENCY ACT

Introduced By: Senators Lauria, Valverde, Miller, Cano, DiMario, Gallo, Lawson, Euer, Bissaillon, and Britto

Date Introduced: January 12, 2024

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by
adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER 114116
TRANSPARENCY IN ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS AND PROFICIENCY ACT
     16-114116-1. Short title.
     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Transparency in Arts Education Access
and Proficiency Act."
     16-114116-2. Definitionsand Findings.
     As used in this chapter:
     (1) "Arts" means instruction, classes, courses, or organized school-based performance in
dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. The term "arts" shall also include fine arts,
including painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and poetry.
     (2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary
education.
     (3) "School" means a public middle or high school.
     (4) "TAEAPA" means transparency in arts education access and proficiency act
("TAEAPA").
     16-114116-3. Proficiency in arts education.
     (a) Commencing with the 2025-26 academic school year, the department shall include, on
each school’s annual school report card, each school’s percentage of students enrolled in arts
education courses, as defined by the national core arts standards, along with the number of courses
available to students in each arts area, including, but not limited to,: dance, media arts, music,
theater, and visual arts.
     (b) Commencing with the 2025-26 fiscal year, the department may designate or assign a
qualified staff member to serve in the role of arts education curriculum coordinator. A primary
function of this coordinator would be to support schools and school districts in meeting the arts
education curricular and reporting requirements, as provided in this chapter, along with any other
arts education-related tasks within the department.
     (c) Commencing with the 2026-27 academic school year, the department shall annually
require each high school to provide a representative sample of graduated students’ portfolios, that
demonstrate evidence of meeting proficiency in one of the arts, as defined by the national core arts
standards, or fine arts. The student portfolios shall include evidence of works developed via courses
within the regular school day.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003775/SUB A
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