2016 -- H 8308

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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 -- THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

     Introduced By: Representative Gregg Amore

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2016

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-97 of the General Laws entitled "The Rhode Island Board of

Education Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-97-9. Comprehensive study -- Unified approach to statewide education. – (a) The

board of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education

and the commissioner of postsecondary education, shall undertake a comprehensive study of the

alignment of the core curriculum used by the various school districts throughout the state with the

goals and objectives of the state's colleges and universities:

     (1) The main objective of the study shall be to determine a unified approach for education

within and across the state that encompasses the education and development of workforce skills,

of our youth and adult learners, from kindergarten through the graduation of college or the

entrance into the workforce;

     (2) The study shall include, at a minimum, recommended policy objectives,

implementation strategies, and a timetable for the implementation of the policies and the

formulation of the rules and regulations necessary to achieve a unified approach and curriculum

for schools under the authority of the council and in furtherance of the objectives of the state

colleges and universities.

     (b) The board shall report its findings to the speaker of the house of representatives and

the president of the senate no later than July 1, 2017.

     (c) The board of education shall base its timetable for implementation of the unified

approach to education on the time necessary to promulgate rules and regulations with respect to

the following policies:

     (l) Instituting a process for drawing up curriculum frameworks for the core subjects

covered by the academic standards adopted by the board (common core state standards):

     (i) The curriculum frameworks shall:

     (A) Present approaches and strategies for assisting students in the development of the

skills, competencies and knowledge called for by these standards; and

     (B) Provide sufficient detail as to provide objective measures and standards to be met by

students and to assist in the education, professional development, certification and evaluation of

both active and aspiring teachers;

     (ii) The establishment of curriculum frameworks, and any further revisions, shall be open

and consultative, and take into consideration:

     (A) The knowledge and experiences of classroom teachers, school administrators, faculty

of schools of education, parents, and any other persons with the knowledge and experience that

may assist the committee in the furtherance of its objectives;

     (B) Other accepted curriculum frameworks, model curricula, content standards,

attainment targets, courses of study and instruction materials currently being used or in the

process of being implemented in the United States;

     (C) Approaches being taken internationally that may be of assistance; and

     (D) The exploration of collaborative development efforts with other projects, including

but not limited to, the national New Standards Project;

     (iii) The curriculum frameworks shall be constructed to guide and assist teachers,

administrators, publishers, software developers and other interested parties in the development

and selection of curricula, textbooks, technology and other instructional materials, and in the

design of pedagogical approaches and techniques for elementary, secondary and vocational-

technical schools.

     (2) Develop a school based management model that shall be submitted to the general

assembly and the governor for consideration. The management model, at a minimum, shall

include:

     (i) A process where the superintendent of a school system hires the principals for their

schools and the principal of the selected school hires their teachers;

     (ii) An appropriate level of educational opportunities for teachers and administrators to

learn and continue to develop the skills and leadership qualities necessary to become effective

administrators and principals;

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     (iii) The creation of a school council to assist in the management and to provide support

to each public elementary, secondary and independent vocational school utilizing the school

based management model; and

     (iv) A recommended transition plan that provides guidance and support to local districts

in implementing the school based management model.

     (3) Establish a professional development plan for educational professionals within the k-

12 system based upon the successful implementation of similar programs by other school

systems/departments throughout the country and the most efficient way to implement similar

practices in the state. In addition to continued professional development, any program offered by

the board of education shall offer opportunities that encourage the development of leadership

skills and the professional advancement of teachers to administrative positions.

     (4) Ensure that all students, regardless of residence or economic status are provided an

opportunity to succeed; and to develop, based on best practices, the system and processes

necessary to support the early intervention and long-term development of children from low

income families to maintain learning skills and school success and improve their ability to

compete in their chosen endeavor after exiting the secondary school system.

     (d) The general assembly shall make an appropriation of an additional one hundred and

fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) to the board of education's FY-2017 budget to support the goals

of this section as provided herein.

     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 -- THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT

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     This act would authorize the expenditure of funds to conduct a comprehensive study on a

unified approach to statewide education.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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