2015 -- H 5814

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LC001892

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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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, Morin, Amore, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: March 06, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

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

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

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

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

higher education is flawed and misguided; and

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

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

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

global workforce; and

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

now, therefore be it

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

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

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

requirements on or before January 5, 2016, and to submit a consolidated report to the General

Assembly on or before March 1, 2016; 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 Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary

and Secondary Education.

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LC001892

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