2025 -- S 0889

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LC002615

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Burke, Tikoian, Raptakis, Gallo, and Lawson

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-100-2 and 16-100-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-100

entitled "Dual Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-100-2. Definition.

     “Dual Enrollment” means that a student is enrolled in a secondary school while

simultaneously enrolled part-time or full-time at a local institution of higher learning Rhode Island

public higher education institution, such as a community college, college, or university.

     16-100-3. Policy implemented.

     (a) The board of education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide dual enrollment policy

that shall allow students to enroll in courses at postsecondary institutions public higher education

institutions, such as a community college, college, or university, to satisfy academic credit

requirements in both high school and the aforementioned postsecondary institutions public higher

education institutions. The regulations shall address the postsecondary public higher education

institution’s graduation requirements, if any; the institution’s ability to award degrees/certificates

in Rhode Island; the minimum course grade to receive credit at the student’s secondary school; and

any other criteria that the board deems appropriate.

     (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives

from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of the postsecondary

commissioner, superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance

counselors, and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to a

dual enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to chapter 7.2 of this title;

academic supports; transportation; possible shared costs of the education; possible fee schedules;

manners in which low-income students could access the program; and possible contracted tuition

costs with our public higher education institutions.

     (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments to public institutions of higher

education institutions for dual and concurrent enrollment shall be limited to no greater than the

appropriation contained in the appropriations act. On or before September 30, 2017, the council on

postsecondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations enforcing this limitation.

     (d) Students in grade twelve (12) enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a dual

enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus at a public

higher education institution shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in § 16-22-4(a).

     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 -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     This act would amend the definition of “dual enrollment” to encompass all Rhode Island

public higher education institutions and amend all statutory references regarding the same.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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