2012 -- S 2796

=======

LC02207

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators DeVall, Crowley, DiPalma, Gallo, and Picard

     Date Introduced: March 21, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 16-1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-1 entitled "State

1-2

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education" is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     16-1-5. Duties of commissioner of elementary and secondary education. -- It shall be

1-4

the duty of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education:

1-5

      (1) To carry out the policies and program formulated by the board of regents for

1-6

elementary and secondary education.

1-7

      (2) To evaluate credentials of applicants for certificates, to verify that the certification of

1-8

teachers is in accordance with law and established standards, and to issue certificates at the

1-9

direction of the board.

1-10

      (3) To certify the approval of accredited schools.

1-11

      (4) To recommend to the board an outline of the subjects and courses of study and the

1-12

instructional standards for elementary and secondary schools.

1-13

      (5) To approve the distribution of state school funds in accordance with law and the

1-14

regulations of the board.

1-15

      (6) To verify that school sites and school building plans are in accordance with law and

1-16

regulations.

1-17

      (7) To exercise supervision over school libraries and library services.

1-18

      (8) To certify that school bus routes and schedules and all contracts for pupil

1-19

transportation conform with provisions of law and the rules and regulations of the board.

2-20

      (9) To require the observance of all laws relating to schools and education.

2-21

      (10) To interpret school law and to decide such controversies as may be appealed to the

2-22

commissioner from decisions of local school committees.

2-23

      (11) To prepare and recommend standard forms for the use of local schools.

2-24

      (12) (i) To prepare, with the assistance of the department of administration, manuals of

2-25

uniform budgetary and standard financial records and procedures for local school officers. The

2-26

board of regents shall adopt uniform local school budgeting procedures no later than July 1, 1989,

2-27

and those procedures should include, at a minimum, the following:

2-28

      (A) Provision for uniform classification of revenues and expenditures;

2-29

      (B) Requirements of detailed expenditure estimates and a table of organization including

2-30

the proposed staffing of each school;

2-31

      (C) Estimates of receipts and expenditures for the last two (2) completed fiscal years, the

2-32

current and ensuing fiscal years; and

2-33

      (ii) To carry out the purpose of this subsection a sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000)

2-34

not otherwise appropriated shall be included in the appropriation made to support the department

2-35

of elementary and secondary education.

2-36

      (13) To receive general supervision from the board of regents for elementary and

2-37

secondary education and to appoint the several officers and employees of the department subject

2-38

to the provisions of the State Merit System Act, chapters 3 and 4 of title 36.

2-39

      (14) To establish health education, alcohol and substance abuse programs for students in

2-40

grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12), in accordance with section 35-4-18. The program

2-41

will consist of the following: A mandated state health education, alcohol and substance abuse,

2-42

curriculum for grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12), a mandated assessment program in

2-43

the areas of health, fitness, alcohol and substance abuse, and an in-service training program which

2-44

will be developed specifically for the implementation of the mandated curriculum.

2-45

      (15) (i) To appoint a three (3) member committee for the purpose of choosing a "teacher

2-46

of the year" among teachers in public school grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12). The

2-47

"teacher of the year" shall receive an award of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

2-48

      (ii) It is the intent of the general assembly that the funds necessary to carry out the

2-49

provisions of this subdivision shall be provided within the annual appropriations act.

2-50

     (16) Will work cooperatively with the United Way of Rhode Island, and corporate

2-51

partners, in a public-private partnership to create high-quality summer learning programs whose

2-52

guidelines are consistent with the findings of the 2010 joint legislative taskforce on summer

2-53

learning, oversee a competitive award process that relies on a request for proposals (RFP) from

2-54

local education agencies and at least one community-based organization, and develop a

3-1

mechanism for evaluating each successfully funded program.

3-2

     SECTION 2. Section 16-8-9 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-8 entitled "Federal Aid"

3-3

is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-4

     16-8-9. Administration of program. -- The department of elementary and secondary

3-5

education may enter into any agreements, with any agency of the federal government, with any

3-6

school board, or with any other agency or person, prescribe any regulations, employ any

3-7

personnel, and take any action, that it may deem necessary to provide for the establishment,

3-8

maintenance, operation, and expansion of any school lunch program, and to direct the

3-9

disbursement of federal and state funds in accordance with existing provisions of the federal and

3-10

state laws. The department of elementary and secondary education may give technical advice and

3-11

assistance to any school board in connection with the establishment and operation of any school

3-12

lunch program and may assist in training personnel engaged in the operation of these programs.

3-13

The department of elementary and secondary education may accept any gift for use in connection

3-14

with any school lunch program. The department of education may encourage school districts to

3-15

provide lunch to students who attend high-quality summer programs.

3-16

     16-8-10.1. Mandatory school breakfast programs. -- (a) All public schools shall make

3-17

a breakfast program available to students attending the school. The breakfast meal shall meet any

3-18

rules and regulations that are adopted by the commissioner.

3-19

      (b) The state of Rhode Island shall provide school districts a per breakfast subsidy for

3-20

each breakfast served to students. The general assembly shall annually appropriate some sum and

3-21

distribute it based on each district's proportion of the number of breakfasts served in the prior

3-22

school year relative to the statewide total in the same year. This subsidy shall augment the

3-23

nonprofit school food service account and be used for expenses incurred in providing nutritious

3-24

breakfast meals to students.

3-25

     (c) The department of education may encourage school districts to provide breakfast to

3-26

students who attend high-quality summer programs.

3-27

     SECTION 3. Sections 16-60-4 and 16-60-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-60

3-28

entitled "Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education" are hereby amended to read

3-29

as follows:

3-30

     16-60-4. Board of regents for elementary and secondary education -- Powers and

3-31

duties. -- The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall have in addition to

3-32

those enumerated in section 16-60-1, the following powers and duties:

3-33

      (1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis

3-34

addressed to every aspect of elementary and secondary education in this state especially as that

4-1

information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with

4-2

reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most

4-3

efficient and economical manner possible.

4-4

      (2) To approve a master plan defining broad goals and objectives for elementary and

4-5

secondary education in the state. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of what

4-6

men and women should know and be able to do as a result of their educational experience. The

4-7

regents shall continually evaluate the efforts and results of education in the light of these

4-8

objectives.

4-9

      (3) To formulate broad policy to implement the goals and objectives established and

4-10

adopted by the board of regents; to adopt standards and require enforcement and to exercise

4-11

general supervision over all elementary and secondary public and nonpublic education in the state

4-12

as provided in subdivision (8) of this section. The board of regents shall not engage in the

4-13

operation or administration of any subordinate committee, local school district, school, school

4-14

service, or school program, except its own department of elementary and secondary education,

4-15

and except as specifically authorized by an act of the general assembly. The adoption and

4-16

submittal of the budget and the allocation of appropriations, the acquisition, holding, disposition,

4-17

and general management of property shall not be construed to come within the purview of the

4-18

preceding prohibition. The regents shall communicate with and seek the advice of the

4-19

commissioner of elementary and secondary education and all those concerned with and affected

4-20

by its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting its policy.

4-21

      (4) To allocate and coordinate the various educational functions among the educational

4-22

agencies of the state and local school districts and to promote cooperation among them so that

4-23

maximum efficiency and economy shall be achieved.

4-24

      (5) (i) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary

4-25

education and to present annually to the state budget officer, in accordance with section 35-3-4, a

4-26

total educational budget for the elementary and secondary sector which shall include, but not be

4-27

limited to, the budgets of the department of elementary and secondary education, subordinate

4-28

boards and agencies, and state aid to local school districts.

4-29

      (ii) In the preparation of the budget, the regents shall determine priorities of expenditures

4-30

for elementary and secondary education purposes of state revenues and other public resources

4-31

made available for the support of public elementary and secondary education among the various

4-32

education agencies of the state. Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any individual or

4-33

group of individuals to reallocate resources in a manner other than that prescribed in the budget as

4-34

appropriations by the general assembly.

5-1

      (6) To maintain a department of elementary and secondary education, to provide for its

5-2

staffing and organization and to appoint a commissioner of elementary and secondary education

5-3

pursuant to section 16-60-6 who shall serve at its pleasure. The commissioner of elementary and

5-4

secondary education and the department of elementary and secondary education shall have any

5-5

duties and responsibilities as defined in sections 16-60-6 and 16-60-7.

5-6

      (7) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable for

5-7

the conduct of any or all aspects of elementary and secondary education and to determine all

5-8

powers, functions, and composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when

5-9

their purpose shall have been fulfilled; provided that nothing contained in this subdivision shall

5-10

be construed to grant the regents the power to establish subcommittees or agencies performing the

5-11

duties and functions of local school committees except as provided in section 16-1-10.

5-12

      (8) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education with

5-13

relation to secondary nonpublic educational institutions within the state under the terms of

5-14

chapter 40 of this title and other laws affecting nonpublic education in the state, and to cause the

5-15

department of elementary and secondary education to administer the provisions of that section.

5-16

      (9) To exercise all the functions, powers and duties which previously were vested in the

5-17

board of regents for education, under the provisions of former section 16-49-4(9), including but

5-18

not limited to the following specific functions:

5-19

      (i) To approve the basic subjects and courses of study to be taught and instructional

5-20

standards required to be maintained in the public elementary and secondary schools of the state.

5-21

      (ii) To adopt standards and qualifications for the certification of teachers and to provide

5-22

for the issuance of certificates, and to establish fees for the certification of teachers. The fees

5-23

collected for the certification of teachers along with various education licensing and testing fees

5-24

shall be deposited by the board of regents as general revenues. The funds appropriated by the

5-25

general assembly shall be utilized by the department of elementary and secondary education to

5-26

establish and support programs which enhance the quality and diversity of the teaching

5-27

profession. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall regularly make

5-28

recommendations to the board about specific programs and projects to be supported by those

5-29

funds. The commissioner shall oversee the funds, assess the effectiveness of its programs and

5-30

projects, and make recommendations about the general use and operation of the funds to the

5-31

board.

5-32

      (iii) To be responsible for the distribution of state school funds.

5-33

      (iv) To determine the necessity of school construction and to approve standards for

5-34

design and construction of school buildings throughout the state.

6-1

      (v) To set standards for school libraries and school library services.

6-2

      (vi) To make recommendations relative to transportation of pupils to school, school bus

6-3

routes, time schedules, and other matters relating to pupil transportation.

6-4

      (vii) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to elementary and secondary

6-5

education.

6-6

      (viii) To decide and determine appeals from decisions of the commissioner.

6-7

      (ix) To prescribe forms for the use of local school committees and local officers when

6-8

reporting to the department of elementary and secondary education.

6-9

      (x) To adopt and require standard accounting procedures for local school districts, except

6-10

as provided for in subdivision (3) of section 16-24-2.

6-11

      (xi) To adopt and require standard uniform operating and capital budgeting procedures

6-12

for local school districts.

6-13

     (xii) To make recommendations that strengthen the linkages between schools and

6-14

summer learning programs.

6-15

      (10) To establish rules for the approval and accrediting of elementary and secondary

6-16

schools.

6-17

      (11) To recommend to the general assembly changes in the size and number of the

6-18

school districts within the state; and to make any further and other recommendations to the

6-19

general assembly as the board of regents may determine to be necessary or desirable, including,

6-20

but not limited to, proposals for incentives for the coordination of services and facilities of certain

6-21

school districts and the feasibility of granting taxing authority to local school committees upon

6-22

their request, and the impact upon the quality of education within that particular community by

6-23

granting the request. In carrying out this duty, the board of regents shall periodically issue reports

6-24

in school district organizations for selected regions and school districts.

6-25

      (12) To exercise all other powers with relation to the field of elementary and secondary

6-26

education within this state not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency, and

6-27

not incompatible with law, which the board of regents for elementary and secondary education

6-28

may deem advisable.

6-29

      (13) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education

6-30

with relation to adult education as defined in section 16-58-2 and to establish definitive goals for

6-31

and operate a comprehensive delivery system for adult education programs and services,

6-32

including the counseling and testing of persons interested in obtaining high school equivalency

6-33

diplomas, the issuance of diplomas, and the maintenance of a permanent record of applications,

6-34

tests, and equivalency diplomas.

7-1

      (14) To promote maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of elementary and

7-2

secondary educational services in the state.

7-3

      (15) To approve a training program for school committee members to enhance their

7-4

individual skills and their effectiveness as a corporate body. The training program should include,

7-5

but not be limited to, the following roles and responsibilities of school committees: strategic

7-6

planning, human and community relations, and school finance and budgeting.

7-7

      (16) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall submit an

7-8

annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the

7-9

senate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement

7-10

summarizing meetings or hearings held, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or

7-11

regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified,

7-12

and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received

7-13

and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds,

7-14

and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of

7-15

performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and

7-16

remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the

7-17

authority of the board; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and

7-18

findings and recommendations for improvements. The director of the department of

7-19

administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

7-20

      (17) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner a multi-year plan of priority

7-21

educational goals and objectives. This plan should recommend policy objectives, implementation

7-22

strategies, and a timetable for major policy initiatives.

7-23

      (18) Each year the governor shall by writing notify the board of regents for elementary

7-24

and secondary education concerning broad economic, cultural, and social needs that the education

7-25

system needs to consider which the board shall address in developing educational plans and

7-26

programs.

7-27

      (19) Appoint a standing committee that will develop a schedule to systematically review

7-28

all board policies over a three (3) year period.

7-29

      (20) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner a statement of regulatory policy.

7-30

This policy should set forth the goals and objectives of state regulations which are expressed in

7-31

terms of what educational inputs and outputs the board expects regulations to address.

7-32

      (21) (i) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary

7-33

education and to present annually to the general assembly by January 1 a report on school

7-34

discipline in Rhode Island schools. This report shall include:

8-1

      (A) Expulsions by district, including duration and the reason for each action.

8-2

      (B) Suspensions by district, including duration and the reason for each action.

8-3

      (C) Placements to alternative programs for disciplinary reasons.

8-4

      (D) Assaults of teachers, students, and school staff by students.

8-5

      (E) Incidents involving possession of weapons on school property. For the purpose of

8-6

this section, a weapon shall be considered any of those weapons described in sections 11-47-2

8-7

and 11-47-42.

8-8

      (F) Incidents of the sale of controlled substances by students.

8-9

      (G) Incidents of the possession with the intent to sell controlled substances by students.

8-10

      (H) Additional demographic information including, but not limited to, the ethnic and

8-11

racial classifications, age, and gender, as prescribed by the commissioner, of each of the students

8-12

involved in the incidents, events or actions described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of this

8-13

subdivision.

8-14

      (I) A description of the education program provided to each student suspended for over

8-15

ten (10) consecutive school days in a school year.

8-16

      (ii) All school superintendents shall supply the necessary information on forms

8-17

established by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to the board of regents to

8-18

assist in the preparation of the board of regents' report on school discipline.

8-19

      (22) To prepare and promulgate a uniform statewide school reporting system which

8-20

would provide information including, but not limited to, the following:

8-21

      (i) Student and teacher attendance rates;

8-22

      (ii) Standardized test scores;

8-23

      (iii) Demographic profiles;

8-24

      (iv) Results of polls of students, parents, and teachers;

8-25

      (v) Descriptions of goals, initiatives, and achievements;

8-26

      (vi) Best teaching practices;

8-27

      (vii) Alternative student assessments;

8-28

      (viii) Special programs;

8-29

      (ix) Number of student suspensions and teacher grievances and the amount of parental

8-30

involvement.

8-31

      (23) The board shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified

8-32

members within six (6) months of their qualification. The course shall be developed by the

8-33

chairperson of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board.

8-34

The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with

9-1

training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of

9-2

chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the board's own rules. The director of the department of

9-3

administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act, prepare and

9-4

disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.

9-5

     16-60-6. Commissioner of elementary and secondary education. -- The regents shall

9-6

appoint a commissioner of elementary and secondary education who shall serve at the pleasure of

9-7

the regents, provided that the commissioner's initial engagement by the regents shall be for a

9-8

period of not more than three (3) years. For the purpose of appointing, retaining, or dismissing a

9-9

commissioner, the governor shall serve as an additional voting member of the board of regents,

9-10

and provided that in the case of a tie, the president of the senate shall cast the deciding vote. The

9-11

position of commissioner shall be in the unclassified service of the state and he or she shall serve

9-12

as the chief executive officer of the board of regents and as the chief administrative officer of the

9-13

department of elementary and secondary education. The commissioner of elementary and

9-14

secondary education shall have the duties that are defined in this section and in this title and any

9-15

other additional duties that may be determined by the regents, and shall perform any other duties

9-16

that may be vested in the commissioner by law. In addition to the general supervision of the

9-17

department of elementary and secondary education and the appointment of the several officers

9-18

and employees of the department, it shall be the duty of the commissioner of elementary and

9-19

secondary education:

9-20

      (1) To develop and implement a systematic program of information gathering,

9-21

processing, and analysis addressed to every aspect of elementary and secondary education in the

9-22

state, especially as that information relates to current and future educational needs.

9-23

      (2) To prepare a master plan for elementary and secondary education in the state; to

9-24

coordinate the goals and objectives of the public elementary and secondary education sector with

9-25

the activities of the nonpublic elementary and secondary education sector where feasible.

9-26

      (3) To communicate with and seek the advice of those concerned with and affected by

9-27

the board of regents' determinations.

9-28

      (4) To implement broad policy as it pertains to the goals and objectives established by

9-29

the regents; to enforce standards and to exercise general supervision over public elementary and

9-30

secondary education in the state and over all elementary and secondary nonpublic education in

9-31

the state as provided in subdivision (8) of this section; to assist in the preparation of the budget

9-32

for elementary and secondary education and to be responsible upon direction of the regents for

9-33

the allocation of appropriations, the acquisition, holding, disposition, and general management of

9-34

property.

10-1

      (5) To be responsible for the coordination of the various elementary and secondary

10-2

educational functions among the educational agencies of the state including local school districts

10-3

and to encourage and to assist in the cooperation among them so that maximum efficiency and

10-4

economy may be achieved.

10-5

      (6) To assist the regents in the preparation and presentation annually to the state budget

10-6

officer, in accordance with section 35-3-4, of a total state elementary and secondary educational

10-7

budget which shall include, but not be limited to, the budget of the department of elementary and

10-8

secondary education, subcommittees and agencies, and state aid to local school districts.

10-9

      (7) To supervise the operation of the department of elementary and secondary education,

10-10

to have the duties as defined in section 16-1-5 and in this title or in law wherever outlined, and

10-11

other additional duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the regents.

10-12

      (8) To perform the duties vested in the board of regents with relation to nonpublic

10-13

elementary and secondary educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40

10-14

of this title, and other laws that affect nonpublic elementary and secondary education in the state.

10-15

      (9) To supervise the following specific functions:

10-16

      (i) To recommend the basic subjects and courses of study to be taught and instructional

10-17

standards to be maintained in the public elementary and secondary schools in the state.

10-18

      (ii) To recommend standards and qualifications of teachers and to issue certificates upon

10-19

approval of standards and qualifications by the regents.

10-20

      (iii) To distribute state school funds in accordance with law and regulations of the board

10-21

of regents.

10-22

      (iv) To certify as to the necessity of school construction and that standards and design

10-23

are in accordance with law and regulations of the regents and to approve a design for school

10-24

construction throughout the state.

10-25

      (v) To certify that school library standards and services are in accordance with law and

10-26

regulations of the board of regents.

10-27

      (vi) To recommend to the board of regents matters relating to the transportation of pupils

10-28

to school.

10-29

      (vii) To require the observance of all laws relating to elementary and secondary schools

10-30

and education.

10-31

      (viii) To interpret school law and to decide any controversies that may be appealed to

10-32

him or her from decisions of local school committees.

10-33

      (ix) To prepare and recommend standard forms for the use of local schools when

10-34

reporting to the department of elementary and secondary education.

11-1

      (x) To prepare standard accounting and auditing procedures for local school districts,

11-2

except for the purposes of subdivision (3) of section 16-24-2 which shall be done in conjunction

11-3

with the auditor general.

11-4

      (xi) To prepare uniform budgeting procedures for local school districts.

11-5

      (xii) To determine when special purpose grants made to local school districts shall be

11-6

eligible for reimbursement through the school operations aid formula in accordance with chapter

11-7

7 of this title, and to designate the purpose(s) for which the local school district may use the

11-8

school operations aid reimbursement, including reimbursement on local matching funds used to

11-9

support the special purpose grant. The commissioner shall promulgate and adopt rules and

11-10

regulations to carry out the intent of this subsection.

11-11

     (xiii) To create high-quality summer learning programs whose guidelines are consistent

11-12

with the findings of the joint legislative taskforce on summer learning, oversee a competitive

11-13

award process that relies on a request for proposals (RFP) from local education agencies and at

11-14

least one community-based organization, and develop a mechanism for evaluating each

11-15

successfully funded program.

11-16

      (10) To approve and accredit elementary and secondary schools in accordance with the

11-17

policy and regulations of the board of regents.

11-18

      (11) To be responsible for the administration of policies, rules, and regulations of the

11-19

board of regents with relation to the entire field of elementary and secondary education within the

11-20

state not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency and not incompatible with

11-21

law.

11-22

      (12) To receive from law enforcement agencies a list periodically of the names of Rhode

11-23

Island missing children and to disseminate these lists to local school districts.

11-24

     SECTION 4. Section 16-73-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-73 entitled "Education -

11-25

Social Services" is hereby amended to read as follows:

11-26

     16-73-2. Creation of plan. -- The commissioner of elementary and secondary education,

11-27

under the direction of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, and in

11-28

cooperation with directors of the departments of health, administration, children, youth, and

11-29

families, mental health, retardation, and hospitals, and the office of higher education (after this

11-30

referred to as the children's cabinet) shall develop a strategic plan for creating "child opportunity

11-31

zones" as a means to deliver comprehensive and coordinated social services at or near public

11-32

school sites, and pursuant to this, undertake activities including but not limited to the award of

11-33

demonstration, planning, and training grants. Where feasible and appropriate, such plans may

11-34

include programs that are designed to strengthen school links with high-quality summer learning

12-1

programs.

12-2

     SECTION 5. Section 16-22-23 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled

12-3

"Curriculum" is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-4

     16-22-23. Mathematics, English/Language Arts, and Science. -- (a) The board of

12-5

regents for elementary and secondary education shall select and/or develop a statewide

12-6

curriculum (i) in Mathematics and English/Language Arts for students in grades kindergarten (k)

12-7

through twelve (12) by August 31, 2006 and (ii) in Science for students in grades kindergarten (k)

12-8

through twelve (12) by August 31, 2008.

12-9

      (b) The curriculum selected and/or developed by the board of regents shall:

12-10

      (1) Be aligned with state standards and assessments utilized by the state department of

12-11

elementary and secondary education;

12-12

      (2) Contain sufficient detail to guide teachers in planning lessons aligned with state

12-13

standards and assessments.

12-14

     (3) Include materials, resources, and suggestions that would link students’ studies during

12-15

the academic year with activities that take place in high-quality summer learning programs.

12-16

      (c) By November 1, 2006, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education

12-17

shall prepare an outline for development and implementation of the science curriculum utilizing

12-18

appropriate groups and then shall convene a science curriculum advisory committee for the

12-19

purpose of developing recommended curriculum to the board of regents for elementary and

12-20

secondary education. The science advisory committee shall include teachers, representatives of

12-21

teacher unions, administrators, curriculum directors, school committee members, and experts

12-22

designated by the commissioner.

12-23

     SECTION 6. Section 16-88-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-88 entitled "Rhode

12-24

Island After School and Summer Learning Program Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

12-25

     16-88-3. Planning phase for a demonstration afterschool and summer learning

12-26

program. -- (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall begin

12-27

planning an initial, demonstration after school and summer learning program that meets high

12-28

quality standards, is age/grade appropriate, runs programming during the hours of 3:00 p.m.

12-29

through 6:00 p.m. during the week, promotes the healthy development of youth, connects to the

12-30

school day, builds on the existing after school and summer learning infrastructure in the state

12-31

(including child care, 21st century community learning centers program, child opportunity zones,

12-32

community-based organizations and public schools), incorporates experiential learning,

12-33

social/emotional development and project-based activities and serves all children and youth from

12-34

kindergarten to 12th grade with an emphasis on children and youth who attend high poverty, low

13-1

performing schools. This planning phase will develop specific goals to expand the demonstration

13-2

after school and summer learning program over time and will also identify opportunities to

13-3

strengthen learning opportunities for children and youth.

13-4

      (b) During this planning phase, the Rhode Island department of elementary and

13-5

secondary education will: (1) Quantify the resources needed to achieve and maintain high quality

13-6

standards based on existing quality standards in after school and summer learning programs; (2)

13-7

Identify incentives and supports to develop a qualified workforce, including opportunities for

13-8

professional development, planning time and staff development.

13-9

      (c) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education will begin to

13-10

develop plans to collect and analyze data regarding the impact of the demonstration after school

13-11

and summer learning program on participating children's school achievement, behavior during

13-12

school hours and social/emotional development. Implement a summer learning program that

13-13

meets high-quality standards, is age/grade appropriate, promotes the healthy development of

13-14

youth, connects to the school year, builds on the existing summer learning infrastructure in the

13-15

state (including child care, 21st Century community learning centers program, child opportunity

13-16

zones, community-based organizations and public schools), incorporates experiential learning,

13-17

social/emotional development and project-based activities, and serves all children and youth from

13-18

kindergarten to twelfth (12th) grade with an emphasis on children and youth who attend high

13-19

poverty, low performing schools.

13-20

     (b) During the implementation phase, the Rhode Island department of elementary and

13-21

secondary education will:

13-22

     (1) Quantify the resources needed to achieve and maintain high-quality standards based

13-23

on existing quality standards in after school and summer learning programs;

13-24

     (2) Identify incentives and supports to develop a qualified workforce, including

13-25

opportunities for professional development, planning time and staff development.

13-26

     (c) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education will develop

13-27

plans to collect and analyze data regarding the impact of the summer learning program on

13-28

participating children’s school achievement, behavior during school hours and social/emotional

13-29

development.

13-30

     (d) Out of any money in the general fund not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five

13-31

hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is hereby appropriated for the purpose of implementing the

13-32

recommendations contained in the (2010) report to the legislature of the Rhode Island department

13-33

of education regarding summer learning programs to be expended in the operation of high-quality

13-34

summer learning programs in Rhode Island.

14-1

     SECTION 7. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02207

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

***

15-1

     This act would enable the department of education create high-quality summer learning

15-2

programs for summer learning for Rhode Island school children. This act would provide five

15-3

hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in funding for the operation of these programs.

15-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC02207

=======