2014 -- H 7255 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

TO REQUIRE ALL RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SUBMIT EACH

DISTRICT'S MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Casey, McNamara, Shekarchi, and O'Brien

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

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     WHEREAS, In 1999, in his State of the Union Address, former President Clinton stated

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"No child should graduate from high school with a diploma he or she can't read"; and

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     WHEREAS, Allowing students to pass from grade to grade, and particularly to graduate

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high school, without mastering the basic material and skills necessary to progress to a career or

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higher education is flawed and misguided; and

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     WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the people of this state to end so-called "social

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promotion," and to raise the bar on graduation requirements to meet rigorous academic standards

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and increase work skills so that our young people will be prepared to compete in an ever-evolving

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global workforce; and

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     WHEREAS, A high school diploma must have consistency and value in the real world;

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now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Department of Education to require all

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Rhode Island school districts to submit each district's minimum high school graduation

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requirements on or before December 1, 2014, and to submit a consolidated report to the General

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Assembly on or before January 31, 2015; and be it further

 

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary

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and Secondary Education.

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