2024 -- S 2845

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LC004134

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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 -- BILINGUAL, DUAL LANGUAGE AND WORLD

LANGUAGE TEACHERS INVESTMENT ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Pearson, Zurier, McKenney, DiPalma, Mack, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Findings of fact.

     (1) The demographic divide in which there are less bilingual, dual language and world

language teachers and more multilingual students is of growing public concern.

     (2) Currently, multilingual students comprise twenty-seven percent (27%) of students in

Rhode Island’s urban core student population and sixteen percent (16%) of Rhode Island’s

statewide student population (Rhode Island Kids Count, 2022).

     (3) Only two percent (2%) of multilingual learners are in enrolled in dual language

programs and comprise a large portion of urban core and urban ring school students.

     (4) A common explanation of why the demographic divide is so concerning is that

multilingual students benefit most from instruction from teachers that are certified in bilingual, dual

language and world language.

     (5) More students benefiting from dual language instruction may, in turn, translate into

better academic outcomes such as student motivation, improved interest in academics, consistent

attendance, and grades.

     (6) Bilingual, dual language and world language teachers represent excellent role models

and provide a continuous source of inspiration for not only multilingual students, but all students.

     (7) Linguistic separation and isolation can be countered through significant investment in

bilingual, dual language and world language teachers that will deliver academic content through

multiple languages.

     (8) Students learn important societal lessons through the example of cooperative interracial

and interethnic relationships among teachers.

     (9) It is in the best interest of the state, its residents, and its students to develop and support

certified bilingual, dual language and world language teachers. The Rhode Island Blueprint for a

Multilingual Learner Success (2021) calls for a nimble system that "Secures and allocates human

and fiscal resources to support high-quality core instruction to meet the diverse needs of MLLs,

including professional learning opportunities for all teachers and administrators."

     (10) Support for increased preparation and training of bilingual, dual language and world

language teachers can successfully be leveraged by providing direct financial support to public

institutions of higher education in Rhode Island working to increase the number of certified

bilingual, dual language and world language teachers.

     SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 114

BILINGUAL, DUAL LANGUAGE AND WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHERS INVESTMENT

ACT

     16-114-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Bilingual, Dual Language and World

Language Teacher Investment Act".

     16-114-2. Definitions.

     When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following

meanings:

     (1) "FAFSA" means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form;

     (2) "Mandatory fees and tuition" means the costs that every student is required to pay in

order to enroll in classes, and does not include room and board, textbooks, program fees that may

exist in some majors, course fees that may exist for some specific courses, meal plans, or travel;

     (3) "Multilingual adult" means an adult who has demonstrated advanced proficiency in at

least two (2) languages.

     (4) "Bilingual dual language educator" means a person who is certified by the Rhode Island

department of elementary and secondary education as a bilingual and dual language teacher in any

grade in accordance with the Rhode Island department of education regulation 200-RICR-20-20-1.

     (5) "World language educator" means a person who is certified by the Rhode Island

department of elementary and secondary education as an All Grades World Language teacher in

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accordance with the Rhode Island Department of education regulation 200-RICR-20-20-1.

     (6) "Multilingual learner" means a student who speaks a language other than English at

home:

     (7) "Recipient student" means a student attending a public institution of higher education

in Rhode Island that offers certification programs for world language or bilingual, dual language

who qualifies and is awarded a scholarship pursuant to the provisions of § 16-114-4.

     (8) "Eligible teacher" means a full-time teacher certified to teach in a kindergarten through

grade twelve (K-12) school by the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education

and is actively teaching within a public school located in the urban core or urban ring.

     (9) "Recipient teacher" means an eligible teacher who is awarded a scholarship pursuant to

the provisions of § 16-114-6.

     (10) "First generation" means a person whose parent or guardian did not receive a

bachelor's degree from the United States.

     (11) "Scholarship program for students" means the scholarship program that is established

pursuant to § 16-114-4 to promote and increase the quantity of bilingual, dual language and world

language teachers in urban core and urban ring public schools.

     (12) "Scholarship program for eligible teachers" means the scholarship program that is

established pursuant to § 16-114-6 to promote and increase the quantity of bilingual, dual language

and world language teachers in urban core and urban ring public schools.

     (13) "State" means the State of Rhode Island.

     (14) "Urban core" means the municipalities of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls,

Woonsocket and Newport.

     (15) "Urban ring" means the municipalities of Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, North

Providence and East Providence.

     16-114-3. Strategy to expand teaching certifications for bilingual dual language and

world language teachers.

     The office of the postsecondary commissioner is hereby empowered and directed to

collaborate with the department of elementary and secondary education and in consultation with

public institutions of higher education that prepares teachers for world language or bilingual, dual

language certification to increase in and streamline the issuance of teaching certificates to promote

and increase the number of bilingual dual language and world language teachers in urban and urban

ring schools.

     16-114-4. Scholarship program for students.

     (a) Beginning September 1, 2024, there is hereby established a scholarship program within

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the office of postsecondary commissioner to promote and increase the number of bilingual and dual

language and world language teachers in urban core and urban ring public schools.

     (b) The general assembly shall annually appropriate, commencing in fiscal year 2025, the

sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) to implement the scholarship purposes of this chapter.

Additional funds beyond the scholarships may be appropriated to support and advance the

scholarship program established pursuant to the provisions of this section. In addition to

appropriation by the general assembly, charitable donations may be accepted into the scholarship

program.

     (c) The office of postsecondary commissioner, in conjunction with the financial aid office

or their respective equivalent offices, at a public institution of higher education, shall administer

the scholarship program for state residents seeking bilingual, dual language or world language

teacher certification who meet the eligibility requirements in subsection (d) of this section.

     (d) To be eligible for receipt of the scholarship, a student:

     (1) Shall be pursuing a pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (Pre-K-12) teacher

certification as part of the teacher preparation program at a public institution of higher education;

     (2) Shall commit to work full-time as a teacher within one year of certification completion

at a public urban core or urban ring school in Rhode Island. The commitment to work full-time

shall extend to one year of teaching for each year the recipient received and accepted an award of

scholarship pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

     (3) Shall qualify for in-state tuition and fees pursuant to the residency policy adopted by

the council on postsecondary education, as amended, supplemented, restated, or otherwise modified

from time to time ("residency policy");

     (4) Shall complete the FAFSA and any required FAFSA verification or the Rhode Island

alternative application for state postsecondary student financial assistance by the deadline

prescribed by a public institution of higher education for each year in which the student seeks to

receive funding under the scholarship program by deadline prescribed by a public institution of

higher education;

     (5) Shall maintain an average annual cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or

greater, as determined by a public institution of higher education;

     (6) Shall commit to repayment of all funds received by the scholarship program if the

recipient student fails to complete or comply with all requirements and provisions of this chapter.

     (e) The office of postsecondary commissioner, in conjunction with a public institution of

higher education, shall develop a policy and procedure to secure the commitments from recipient

students.

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     (f) Every scholarship awarded pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be calculated

annually. Each applicant and/or recipient student shall complete the FAFSA and any required

FAFSA verification by the deadline prescribed by a public institution of higher education for each

year of attendance. The scholarship award shall cover the annual cost of mandatory fees and tuition,

less federal and all other financial aid monies available to the recipient student. Once awarded, the

scholarship may continue for a period of up to two (2) years conditioned on the recipient student's

compliance with the provisions of this section.

     (g) All scholarships awarded pursuant to the provisions of this section are subject to

appropriation, and no applicant shall have a right to receive any scholarship pursuant to the

provisions of this section until awarded.

     16-114-5. Scholarship award preference for students.

     In selecting recipient students of the scholarship established pursuant to § 16-114-4,

preference shall be given to the following applicants:

     (1) Multilingual adults with bachelor degrees from the United States or abroad; and

     (2) Multilingual undergraduate students enrolled in teacher education programs.

     16-114-6. Scholarship program for eligible teachers.

     (a) Beginning September 1, 2024, there is hereby established a scholarship program within

the office of postsecondary commissioner to promote and increase the number of bilingual and dual

language and world language teachers in urban core and urban ring public schools.

     (b) The general assembly shall annually appropriate, commencing in fiscal year 2025, the

sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to implement the scholarship purposes of this chapter.

Additional funds beyond the scholarships may be appropriated to support and advance the

scholarship program established pursuant to the provisions of this section. In addition to

appropriation by the general assembly, charitable donations may be accepted into the scholarship

program.

     (c) The office of postsecondary commissioner, in conjunction with the financial aid office

or their respective equivalent offices, at a public institution of higher education, shall administer

the scholarship program for eligible teachers seeking bilingual, dual language or world language

teacher certification who meet the eligibility requirements in subsection (d) of this section.

     (d) To be eligible for receipt of the scholarship, an eligible teacher:

     (1) Shall be actively teaching full-time at a kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12)

public school located in the urban core or urban ring.

     (2) Shall already be certified in early childhood, elementary, middle grades, secondary

grades, or all grades by the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education.

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     (3) Shall complete the FAFSA and any required FAFSA verification or the Rhode Island

alternative application for state postsecondary student financial assistance by the deadline

prescribed by a public institution of higher education for each year in which the student seeks to

receive funding under the scholarship program by deadline prescribed by a public institution of

higher education;

     (4) Shall maintain an average annual cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or

greater, as determined by a public institution of higher education;

     (5) Shall commit to repayment of all funds received by the scholarship program if the

recipient teacher fails to complete or comply with all requirements and provisions of this chapter.

     (e) The office of postsecondary commissioner, in conjunction with a public institution of

higher education, shall develop a policy and procedure to secure the commitments.

     16-114-7. Scholarship award preference for eligible teachers.

     In selecting recipient teachers of the scholarship established pursuant to § 16-114-4,

preference shall be given to eligible teachers who are multilingual and identify as first generation.

     16-114-8. Promulgation of rules and procedure.

     The office of postsecondary commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and

regulations to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. In addition, a public institution of higher

education shall establish appeal procedures for the award, denial, repayment, or revocation of a

scholarship award pursuant to the provisions of § 16-114-4.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on September 1, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- BILINGUAL, DUAL LANGUAGE AND WORLD

LANGUAGE TEACHERS INVESTMENT ACT

***

     This act would authorize the office of postsecondary commissioner to establish a program

to expand the issuance of teaching certificates to bilingual, dual language and world language

teachers in urban and urban ring schools; would establish two scholarship programs to promote and

increase the number of bilingual dual language and world language teachers in urban and urban

ring schools; and would establish the scholarship eligibility requirements and preferences.

     This act would take effect on September 1, 2024.

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