2021 -- H 5519

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- MANDATORY EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

     Introduced By: Representatives Tobon, Baginski, Alzate, Edwards, Barros, Amore, and
Craven

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-21 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby repealed.

     16-22-21. Community service learning.

     (a) The legislature recognizes the importance of community service learning as a means of

enhancing life in the community and as a way of enlightening young people about the needs of

others. Whenever young people are led through teaching and example, the likelihood of their

becoming productive citizens in society is increased a thousandfold.

     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall encourage the

establishment of community service learning programs in local school districts by developing a

model program and appropriate guidelines for implementation of the model program. Any local

school district may petition the commissioner of education for approval of its community service

learning program, which may be used in partial fulfillment of the requirement for obtaining a high

school diploma. The commissioner shall develop criteria that local school districts may use as a

means of determining and recognizing community service learning activities for credit towards a

high school diploma. Local school districts that elect to establish community service learning

programs pursuant to this section shall submit community service learning program plans for

approval by the commissioner every five (5) years.

     SECTION 2. 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:

     16-22-21.1. Legislative findings – Community service requirements.

     (a) The general assembly makes the following findings:

     (1) Community service:

     (i) Allows for its participants to be exposed to the needs of others;

     (ii) Enables students to apply their curriculum content, skills, and behavior taught in their

classroom to their service;

     (iii) Helps students learn what it means to be a good citizen, to fully appreciate what

government does for its people, and to value themselves as powerful resources critical to the

development of a truly healthful community;

     (iv) Improves the likelihood that students will become productive citizens;

     (v) Promotes students' self-esteem and self-worth;

     (vi) Provides a broad exposure to civic duty, enables the development of individual

capabilities, furthers career connections and the establishment of support networking while helping

the students to become active citizens who promote community needs;

     (vii) Shall become an integral part of all students' educational experiences; and

     (viii) Teaches its participants about diversity, helps develop their intellectual understanding

and curiosity, and improves communication skills.

     (b) As used in this section, "community service" means structured programs and activities

where students perform work/services for the direct benefit of the community, under the auspices

of public and nonprofit organizations. It shall relate as much as is practical to lessons that are being

taught in the classroom. Its focus shall be on instilling civic awareness and values in all participating

students.

     (c) Students in every grade, from kindergarten to grade twelve (K-12), shall be required to

perform increasing amounts of community service, each school year, as a prerequisite for their

promotion into their next grade.

     (d) The following is the amount of hours each student must successfully perform in that

school year:

     (1) Kindergarten 10 hours;

     (2) Grade 1 10 hours;

     (3) Grade 2 10 hours;

     (4) Grade 3 10 hours;

     (5) Grade 4 10 hours;

     (6) Grade 5 10 hours;

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     (7) Grade 6 10 hours;

     (8) Grade 7 10 hours;

     (9) Grade 8 10 hours;

     (10) Grade 9 30 hours;

     (11) Grade 10 40 hours;

     (12) Grade 11 50 hours; and

     (13) Grade 12 50 hours.

     (e) The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish community

service learning programs for its local school districts which incorporate the mandates of this

section, are grade appropriate, and complement each grade's curriculum and statewide standards.

Each program shall contain preparation, action and reflection components. The programs shall

identify and approve organizations and government entities which provide the students with the

opportunity to perform public service, as well as the types of service that are acceptable.

     (f) An approval process for each individual student's proposed community service plan

shall be established. These programs shall also include a voluntary portion for students who elect

to receive academic credit for their community service.

     (g) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations which implement this mandatory

educational community service section.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- MANDATORY EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

***

     This act would require all students in kindergarten to grade twelve (K-12) to perform a

minimum amount of community service each school year and would grant them the option to

perform certain forms of community service for academic credit.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2022.

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