2021 -- S 0208

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LC000839

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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 -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS -- TRAINING AND

EVALUATION -- EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS

     Introduced By: Senators Seveney, Gallo, DiPalma, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See

Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

thereto the following section:

     16-11-10. Evaluation requirements.

     (a) The council on elementary and secondary education shall direct the department of

elementary and secondary education (the "department") to implement an assessment and evaluation

system that applies to both teachers and administrators, and is aligned with the state's standards.

This section shall not require the abandonment of any evaluation system already in place, so long

as the department determines that said evaluation system meets department goals.

     (b) On or before April 1, 2023, and on or before April 1 every year thereafter, the

department shall report to the governor, the senate president, and the speaker of the house

concerning efforts to continuously improve the evaluation system.

     (c) The report shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) The aspects of the evaluation system that have been the area of focus for that academic

year and why;

     (2) Revisions made, or proposed to be made, to the evaluation system, if any;

     (3) Efforts to ensure the evaluation system uses objective measurements and avoids self-

reporting, where possible; and

     (4) Such other matters that the department deems should be included.

     (d) For the purposes of this section, "local education agencies" (LEAs) shall include all of

the following within the state of Rhode Island:

     (1) Public school districts;

     (2) Regional school districts;

     (3) State-operated schools;

     (4) Regional collaborative schools; and

     (5) Charter schools and mayoral academies.

     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 -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS -- TRAINING AND

EVALUATION -- EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS

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     This act would direct the council on elementary and secondary education to implement an

assessment and evaluation system that applies to both teachers and administrators and is aligned

with the state's standards.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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