2021 -- S 0285

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LC001217

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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 -- RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL-TO-CAREER TRANSITION

ACT OF 1996

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, DiPalma, and Seveney

     Date Introduced: February 18, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-80 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island School-to-Career

Transition Act of 1996" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-80-4.1. Individual career and academic plan for grades six through twelve (6-12).

     (a) As used in this section, "individual career and academic plan (ICAP)" means an

individualized plan developed by the student and the student's parent or legal guardian, in

collaboration with their school counselors, school administrators, teachers and other school

personnel. This individualized career and academic plan is to be used to help establish personalized

academic and career goals, explore postsecondary career and opportunities, including, but not

limited to, military careers, apprenticeship programs, career and technology programs leading to

certification or licensure, and educational opportunities, align coursework and curriculum, apply to

postsecondary institutions, secure financial aid and ultimately enter the workforce.

     (b) The board of education (the "board") shall adopt a new statewide system of college and

career planning tools, which shall be known as the "individual career and academic plan (ICAP)".

     (c) The board shall work cooperatively with school districts to incorporate the ICAP into

graduation requirements.

     (1) Beginning with students entering the sixth grade in the 2024-2025 school year, each

student shall be required to complete the process of an ICAP in order to graduate from a public

high school with a standard diploma. Each year thereafter, students shall annually update their

ICAP. The ICAP shall include, but not be limited to:

     (i) Career- and college-interest surveys;

     (ii) Written postsecondary and workforce goals and information on progress toward these

goals;

     (iii) Intentional sequence of courses that reflect progress toward the postsecondary goals;

     (iv) The student's academic progress, including courses taken, assessment scores, any

remediation or credit recovery and any advanced placement, dual enrollment credits earned and/or

career certificate(s), certification(s), or endorsements; and

     (v) Experience in service learning and/or work environment activities.

     (2) The ICAP system shall be implemented according to the following schedule:

     (i) For the 2022-2023 school year, the department of elementary and secondary education

(the "department") shall work with, but not limited to, school districts, the office of postsecondary

education, and the department of labor and training, to develop individual career academic planning

tools for students in grades six through twelve (6-12);

     (ii) For the 2023-2024 school year, the department shall incorporate the ICAP as set forth

in subsection (c)(1) of this section, on a pilot program basis; and

     (iii) For the 2024-2025 school year, and each school year thereafter, school districts shall

fully incorporate and put into operation the ICAP, pursuant to this section, for all students entering

the sixth grade.

     (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a district from implementing the

ICAP for students in earlier grades.

     (4) ICAPs for students with disabilities, as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA), P.L. No. 105-17, shall take into account and work in cooperation with the

student's individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan as defined by the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, P.L. No. 93-112.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL-TO-CAREER TRANSITION

ACT OF 1996

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     This act would implement an individual career and academic plan as a graduation

requirement for each student enrolled in public schools in the sixth through twelfth grade, starting

with students entering the sixth grade in the 2024-2025 school year.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2022.

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