2016 -- H 7584

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LC004302

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Price, Chippendale, Nardolillo, Costa, and Newberry

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 16-100-2 and 16-100-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-100

entitled "Dual Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-100-2. Definition. -- "Dual Enrollment" means that a student is enrolled in a

secondary school or is home schooled at the secondary level, while simultaneously enrolled part-

time or full-time at a local institution of higher learning, such as a community college or

university.

     16-100-3. Policy implemented. -- (a) The Board of Education shall prescribe by

regulation a statewide dual enrollment policy that shall allow students to enroll in courses at

postsecondary institutions to satisfy academic credit requirements in both high school, including

home schooling at the secondary level, and the aforementioned postsecondary institutions. The

regulations shall address the postsecondary institution's graduation requirements, if any; the

institution's ability to award degrees/certificates in Rhode Island; the minimum course grade to

receive credit at the student's secondary school or home schooling; and any other criteria that the

Board deems appropriate. The board may limit the courses offered to home-schooled students to

those courses being offered by the school district in which the home-schooled student resides.

      (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives

from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of higher education,

superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance counselors,

and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to a dual

enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to section 16-7.2, academic

supports, transportation, possible shared costs of the education, possible fee schedules, manners

in which low-income students could access the program and, possible contracted tuition costs

with our public higher education institutions.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- DUAL ENROLLMENT EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

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     This act would extend the benefits of the dual enrollment equal opportunity act to cover

home-schooled students.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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