2021 -- H 5834

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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 -- COVID RECOVERY PLANS

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Bennett, S Lima, Alzate, and Shanley

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2021

     Referred To: House Education

     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 22.3

     COVID RECOVERY PLANS AND STRATEGIES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS

     16-22.3-1. COVID-19 recovery plan and strategy plans.

     (a) The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Rhode Island students'

academic and social emotional outcomes. State assessments have shown a disparity in performance

between students in distance learning and in person programs. Student mental health has also been

adversely impacted, with documented increases of child mental health related visits. Children in

Rhode Island have also experienced increases in food insecurity and family stress based upon

difficulty in paying for household expenses. Nationally, there have been drops in enrollment

particularly in kindergarten and Pre-K. Accordingly, every school district shall develop a "COVID

Recovery Plan and Strategy" (hereinafter "district recovery plans" or "plans") in anticipation of

possible federal and state COVID-19 recovery funding, including, but not limited to, additional

CARES ACT funding or funding of a similar nature which funding is provided because of the

current COVID-19 pandemic.

     (b) District recovery plans shall be focused on the academic and social-emotional needs of

students. The plans shall be based on assessments, research and data analysis. The planning process

shall also feature engagement with teachers, families, and community members, with an emphasis

on local priorities and needs. Local plans should be prioritized based upon additional state and

federal stimulus funding directed to the district.

     16-22.3-2. Composition of school district COVID-19 recovery plans.

     (a) The general assembly recognizes that the needs and priorities for each district may vary

based upon many different factors. Each district, after conducting its due diligence through

assessments, research, and data analysis, shall, in their district recovery plan:

     (1) Identify the local priorities and needs of the students in the particular district;

     (2) Prepare targets to reach through the district recovery plans; and

     (3) Identify strategies to reach those targets.

     (b) District recovery plan strategies and targets may include, but are not limited to, the

following:

     (1) Extended school day strategies, which could include extension of the school day,

summer school, recovery classes offered at nontraditional times outside the typical school day, and

Saturday academies.

     (2) Targeted academic intervention, which could include tutoring, expanded credit

recovery, software and licenses specifically designed to support academic acceleration, accelerated

learning, and expanded support for multi-lingual learners.

     (3) Expanded access for all students to education programs offered in the district, with a

focus on students who have become disengaged in education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These strategies may include Pre-K program recruitment, enriched virtual learning programs, and

enrichment opportunities for high school students.

     (4) Development of a district wide attendance recovery team. This team would identify and

provide support services for students and families who have become disengaged from Rhode Island

public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

     (5) Social emotional supports, which could include increased counseling, mental health

support from social workers, psychologist and counselors. The district recovery plan could also

include mentoring and intern programs that support student learning.

     (6) Professional development. Funding may be used for professional development support

for teachers, administrators and building support personnel.

     (c) The district recovery plans shall also include tiered dates by which each target is to be

met. These dates may be staggered in stages. This chapter does not set a date by which all targets

must be reached; provided, however, it is the intent of the general assembly that the process be

expedited and the plans designed to reach and impact as many current and future students as

possible.

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     (d) The strategies and targets included in subsection (b) of this section are not exhaustive

or exclusive, and do not preclude the setting of other strategies and targets; provided, however, in

doing their research, analysis, and due diligence, each district shall at a minimum consider the

strategies and targets identified in subsection (b) of this section.

     (e) In developing and implementing strategies, districts may work in collaboration with

other school districts if both districts determine that collaboration would be helpful and useful to

the students of the respective districts. Collaboration is not required but is encouraged if it will

facilitate improved recovery outcomes for students. Districts may collaborate on all or only a

portion of their strategies and targets. In such event, the district shall submit a "joint district

recovery plan" which outlines the respective roles of each district. Provided, that joint district

recovery plans shall consider issues of safety and the possible spread of illness or disease.

     16-22.3-3. Department of elementary and secondary education role.

     (a) Each district shall submit a draft of its district recovery plan or, if applicable, its joint

district recovery plan, to the department of elementary and secondary education (the "department")

by June 30, 2021. The department shall review the plans and provide feedback to the districts on

the district's recovery plan by July 1, 2021. Each district shall work with the department to establish

a completed district recovery plan by August 1, 2021.

     (b) The department shall assist districts in facilitating collaboration pursuant to § 16-22.3-

2, when and if the districts involved request such assistance. The department may also identify and

suggest areas where collaboration would be effective, and identify districts which might be able to

benefit from collaboration with other districts.

     16-22.3-4. Applicability.

     The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all public schools and districts, including, but

not limited to, traditional public schools, vocational schools, and charter schools. Private schools

are not required to but may, if their governing body and the applicable local school board or

committee, both decide that the private school and the school district shall participate in a joint

district recovery plan.

     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 -- COVID RECOVERY PLANS

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     This act would direct all school districts to prepare district recovery plans which would

include strategies and targets for students, to address losses in student academic and social

emotional learning which has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. District recovery plans

would be focused on the needs of students based on assessments, research and data analysis.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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