2021 -- S 0349

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LC001995

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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 -- FINANCIAL LITERACY

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Paolino, Felag, Euer, DiPalma, Gallo, Pearson, Miller,
Goodwin, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Education

     (General Treasurer)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read

as follows:

     16-22-13. Consumer education.

     (a) The council on elementary and secondary education (the “council”), in consultation

with the Rhode Island department of education (the “department”), shall develop and approve

statewide academic standards for the instruction of consumer education in public high schools by

no later than December 31, 2021, and again as required by the procedures set forth in subsections

(e) and (f) of this section.

     (b) By the start of the 2022-2023 school year, the The school committees of the several

cities, towns, and school districts local education agencies (“LEAs”) shall provide for pupils in the

ensure that public high schools in grades eight (8) through twelve (12) to be taught and be required

to study courses which offer a course that include includes instruction in consumer education,

which that is aligned with the statewide standards.

     (c) The standards shall may include, but not necessarily be limited to, installment

purchasing, budgeting, comparison of prices, credit and the law, employment and income, rights

and responsibilities in the marketplace, money management, maintaining credit, saving, investing,

protecting and insuring assets, and other personal finance or consumer economic topics of study

approved by the department of elementary and secondary education.

     (d) The standards shall:

     (1) Clearly set forth the skills, competencies, and knowledge expected to be demonstrated

by all students at the conclusion of individual grades or grade spans;

     (2) Reflect sensitivity to different learning styles; and

     (3) Be in a form readily comprehensible by the public.

     (e) The council shall review the consumer education standards regularly, making changes

if appropriate, to ensure that the standards continue to outline the knowledge and skills students are

expected to demonstrate regarding the responsible and informed use of financial services. The

review cycle shall begin in 2026, with subsequent reviews taking place in 2031, 2036, and every

five (5) years thereafter.

     (f) Any recommended changes or updates to existing standards shall be approved by the

council at least sixty (60) days prior to the changes taking effect.

     (g) Beginning with the graduating class of 2024, all students shall demonstrate proficiency

in consumer education prior to graduating high school. LEAs shall have the discretion to allow

students the ability to demonstrate proficiency by one or more of the following:

     (1) Successful completion of a consumer education course of study aligned with the

standards developed and approved by the council;

     (2) Successful completion of a project aligned with the standards developed and approved

by the council, under the supervision of a certified educator;

     (3) Successful completion of a consumer education assessment that is aligned with the

standards developed and approved by the council and taken in a controlled testing environment; or

     (4) Another demonstration of proficiency approved by the council.

     (h) Schools shall be permitted to make exceptions and accommodations to the requirements

of this section for students with disabilities, as provided in chapter 24 of title 16, in those cases

wherein the student cannot be reasonably expected to demonstrate proficiency to council standards.

     (i) The council, in consultation with the department, shall compile and publish the

following by April 1, 2022:

     (1) A list of micro-credentialing programs that train educators in the skills necessary to

deliver consumer education lessons in accordance with statewide standards; and

     (2) Resources and instructional materials including, but not limited to, lesson plans,

assessments, and activities that align with the consumer education standards adopted by the council.

     (j) The council shall review the list of micro-credentialing programs and resources and

instructional materials compiled in subsection (i) of this section regularly, making changes if

appropriate. The review cycle shall begin in 2026, with subsequent reviews taking place in 2031,

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2036, and every five (5) years thereafter.

     (k) By August 1, 2024, and annually by August 1 thereafter, the department shall publish

a report on the consumer education instruction in Rhode Island schools. The report shall include,

but need not be limited to, the following:

     (1) The number of high school students at each grade level who have completed a high-

school level course of study in consumer education that is aligned with the standards developed

and approved by the council; and

     (2) A list of the middle schools and elementary schools that have incorporated consumer

education into their curricula.

     (l) This section shall not apply to private schools.

     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 -- FINANCIAL LITERACY

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     This act would require the council on elementary and secondary education, in consultation

with the Rhode Island department of education, to develop and approve statewide academic

standards for the instruction of consumer education in public high schools no later than December

31, 2021.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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