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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPARENCY IN ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS AND

PROFICIENCY ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lauria, Valverde, Miller, Cano, DiMario, Gallo, Lawson, Euer,
Bissaillon, and Britto

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

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adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 114

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TRANSPARENCY IN ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS AND PROFICIENCY ACT

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     16-114-1. Short title.

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     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Transparency in Arts Education Access

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and Proficiency Act."

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     16-114-2. Definitions and Findings.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Arts" means instruction, classes, courses, or organized school-based performance in

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dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. The term "arts" shall also include fine arts,

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including painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and poetry.

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     (2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary

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education.

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     (3) "School" means a public middle or high school.

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     (4) "TAEAPA" means transparency in arts education access and proficiency act

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("TAEAPA").

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     16-114-3. Proficiency in arts education.

 

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     (a) Commencing with the 2025-26 academic school year, the department shall include, on

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each school’s annual school report card, each school’s percentage of students enrolled in arts

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education courses, as defined by the national core arts standards, along with the number of courses

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available to students in each arts area, including, but not limited to, dance, media arts, music,

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theater, and visual arts.

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     (b) Commencing with the 2025-26 fiscal year, the department may designate or assign a

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qualified staff member to serve in the role of arts education curriculum coordinator. A primary

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function of this coordinator would be to support schools and school districts in meeting the arts

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education curricular and reporting requirements, as provided in this chapter, along with any other

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arts education related tasks within the department.

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     (c) Commencing with the 2026-27 academic school year, the department shall annually

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require each high school to provide a representative sample of graduated students’ portfolios, that

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demonstrate evidence of meeting proficiency in one of the arts, as defined by the national core arts

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standards, or fine arts. The student portfolios shall include evidence of works developed via courses

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within the regular school day.

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     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 -- TRANSPARENCY IN ARTS EDUCATION ACCESS AND

PROFICIENCY ACT

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     This act would establish the Transparency in Arts Education Access and Proficiency Act

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("TAEAPA") and promote education in the arts at the middle and high school levels by requiring

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each middle and high school to provide annual reports on the availability of, and percentage of

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students enrolled in, arts education courses.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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