2013 -- H 5252

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LC00809

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND TEACHERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Bennett, Gallison, Guthrie, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: February 05, 2013

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

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

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by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 100

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THE RHODE ISLAND TEACHERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

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     16-100-1. Legislative purpose. -- It is the purpose of the Rhode Island teachers’ advisory

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council to provide a streamlined communication mechanism between teachers and the state board

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of education, the policy setting board of elementary and secondary education by:

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     (1) Providing teachers with the ability to inform policymakers about implementation,

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concerns, and or practical issues regarding regulations and/or policies, whether proposed or

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promulgated;

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     (2) Bringing voices of classroom teachers into the conversation about policies and

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regulations which impact classroom activities; and

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     (3) Improving the conversation about the policies and regulations regarding our education

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system to ensure their successful implementation that benefits all Rhode Island students.

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     16-100-2. Rhode Island Teachers' Advisory Council established. -- (a) There is hereby

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established a Rhode Island teachers’ advisory council, hereinafter referred to as “RITAC,” that

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shall advise the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and/or the state board of

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education, whichever body is in effect at the time. RITAC shall be comprised of one teacher

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from each school district chosen by the districts’ state association of teacher representatives, such

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as the national education association and the Rhode Island federation of teachers and health

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professionals, in conjunction with the local district teacher representative in a manner that they

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deem appropriate. The Rhode Island league of charter schools shall choose two (2) teachers from

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its public charter schools in a manner that it deems appropriate. The term of each teacher

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representative shall be two (2) years. Each representative shall be chosen within ninety (90) days

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of passage and by October 1 every two (2) years thereafter. Upon organization, the members of

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RITAC shall elect a chairperson and any other officers.

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     (b) RITAC shall meet no less than four (4) times per year and provide the board of

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regents for elementary and secondary education and/or the state board of education, whichever

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board is in effect, with a minimum of quarterly reports at a regularly scheduled board meeting.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00809

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE RHODE ISLAND TEACHERS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island Teachers' Advisory Council.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC00809

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