2017 -- S 0438

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LC000297

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION-CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Senators Morgan, Paolino, Kettle, and Cote

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding thereto

the following section:

     16-22-28. Instruction in cursive penmanship.

     Commencing September 1, 2017, all children in grades one through six (6) attending

public schools, or any other schools managed and controlled by the state, shall receive in those

schools instruction in cursive penmanship under rules and regulations the department of

elementary and secondary education may prescribe or approve during periods which shall average

at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day. No private school or private instruction shall be

approved by any school committee for the purposes of §16-19-2 as substantially equivalent to that

required by law of a child attending a public school in the same city and/or town unless

instruction in cursive penmanship similar to that required in public schools shall be given.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000297

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION-CURRICULUM

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     This act would require elementary schools to provide instruction in cursive penmanship.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000297

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