2014 -- H 8367

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LC006034

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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

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF

IMPLEMENTING FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS IN ALL RHODE ISLAND

AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph M.McNamara

     Date Introduced: June 20, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

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     WHEREAS, Research has shown that full-day kindergarteners demonstrate more positive

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academic and behavioral effects than half-day kindergarteners; and

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     WHEREAS, Research has also indicated that students enrolled in full-day kindergarten

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have better work habits, become more independent than students in half-day programs, and are

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more likely to be promoted through grade 2, than those who attended half-day kindergarten; and

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     WHEREAS, In addition, studies have found that full-day kindergarten enables students

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from low socioeconomic or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to come to par or even

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outperform their counterparts from higher socioeconomic or educationally advantaged

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backgrounds; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

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consisting of twelve (12) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate, not more

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than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; three

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(3) of whom shall be members of the House of Representatives, not more than two (2) from the

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same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the

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President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National  Education Association, or designee; one of

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whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Federation of Teachers,

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or designee; two (2) of whom shall be members of Rhode Island School Committees, one of

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whom shall be from a school district with full-day kindergarten and one of whom shall be from a

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school district without full-day kindergarten, to be appointed by the President of the Rhode Island

 

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Association of School Committees; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of The Rhode

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Island School Superintendents Association, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Executive

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Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, or designee.

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     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

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commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

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resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

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of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

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is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

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     The purpose of said Commission shall be to make a comprehensive study, utilizing the

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most current studies and information available, on the necessity, feasibility, curriculum

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development, long-term benefits, and funding policies and resources for implementing full-day

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kindergarten programs in all Rhode Island public schools. 

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     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

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the call of the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and organize and shall select

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a chairperson from among the legislators. 

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     Vacancies in said Commission shall be filed in like manner as the original appointment.

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     The membership of said Commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

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     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

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documentary and otherwise, to said Commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

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desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

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suitable quarters in the State House for said Commission; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

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General Assembly no later than January 6, 2015, and said commission shall expire on March 6,

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2015.

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LC006034

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