2013 -- S 0600

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LC00307

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Pichardo, Nesselbush, Ottiano, and Cote

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Education

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 100

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DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     16-100-1. Short title. -- This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Dual

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Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act."

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     16-100-2. Definition. -- “Dual Enrollment” means that a student is enrolled in a

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secondary school while simultaneously enrolled at a local institution of higher learning, such as a

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community college or university.

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     16-100-3.  Policy implemented. -- (a) The board of regents for elementary and

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secondary education and/or the state board of education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide

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dual enrollment policy that shall allow students to enroll in post secondary institution courses to

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satisfy credit in both high school and the aforementioned post secondary institutions. The

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regulations shall address the post secondary institution’s accreditation requirements, if any, the

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institution’s ability to award degrees/certificates in Rhode Island, the minimum course grade

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necessary to receive credit at the student’s secondary school, and any other areas that the board

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deems appropriate. Such regulations shall be promulgated on or before January 1, 2014.

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     (b) For students participating in dual enrollment pursuant to this chapter, the funding

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allocated for that student, pursuant to general laws section 16-7.2-3, shall follow the student to the

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enrolled higher education institution proportionate to the credits to be earned at that institution.

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The student’s secondary school district may retain an amount for administrative costs as allowed

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by the board in its regulations.

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     16-100-4. Dual enrollment adoption. -- School districts and schools must adopt the

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statewide dual enrollment policy promulgated pursuant to this section by June 30, 2014. All

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school districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, approved private day or residential

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schools and collaborative schools shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     This act would provide for the establishment of a dual enrollment policy by the state that

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would enable high school students to take courses at colleges and universities. Students so

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enrolled would receive credit towards their high school graduation and would also gain credits at

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the college or university they are attending.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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