2014 -- H 7327

========

LC003555

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RELATING TO EDUCATION - THE PAUL W. CROWLEY RHODE ISLAND STUDENT

INVESTMENT INITIATIVE - NOTICE PROVISIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Fellela, E Coderre, Tanzi, and Silva

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     WHEREAS, According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

approximately 4000 high school students from the Class of 2014 are in jeopardy of not graduating

from high school due to the students' score on the state assessment; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly is concerned about the impact of not having a high

school diploma on students' lives and the economy of the State; and

     WHEREAS, The common core standards are currently being implemented in schools

throughout the State; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island and twenty-one additional states have agreed to utilize the

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) as the state assessment

that aligns with the common core standards; and

     WHEREAS, The New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) will be

replaced by the PARCC beginning in the 2014-2015 school year; and

     WHEREAS, The former Rhode Island Board of Regents adopted regulations for

graduation standards beginning with the 2013-2014 school year that will require three measures

to be eligible to graduate which are: 1) Successfully completing 20 academic courses in six core

content areas; 2) Successfully completing a performance-based diploma assessment such as a

senior project, exhibition, or electronic portfolio; and 3) Reaching the level of partial proficiency

on the first administration of the state assessment or showing growth between the first and

subsequent administrations of the state assessment; now, therefore be it

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

Plantations hereby supports a rigorous curriculum, high standards, and high expectations for all of

our students; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby urges the Board of Education to

reconsider the current graduation requirements including the use of the state assessment and

examine using a weighted compilation of the state assessment, coursework performance, and

senior project or portfolio; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly respectfully requests that the Board of

Education delay the state assessment portion of the graduation requirement to allow for adequate

time for students to be immersed in the common core curriculum; and be it further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Chairperson of the Rhode Island Board of

Education.

========

LC003555

========

LC003555 - Page 2 of 2