2018 -- S 2348

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LC004008

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION

CERTIFICATION - PARTIAL FEE WAIVER

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Crowley, Calkin, Goldin, and Gallo

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-67 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Literacy and

Dropout Prevention Act [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-67-8. Partial fee waiver.

     Public school districts who send their qualified, certified teaching staff in 2018-2019 and

annually thereafter to obtain a graduate certificate in dyslexia knowledge and practice as designed

and implemented by the University of Rhode Island and aligned with the International Dyslexia

Association (IDA) Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading shall be eligible to

receive a one-half (1/2) fee waiver that shall be distributed through the department of elementary

and secondary education (the "department"). A school district seeking such one-half (1/2) waiver

shall first submit documentation to the department indicating the credentials of the teacher

proposed to be sent for the certificate. The department shall determine whether the teacher is an

elementary teacher who would be providing dyslexia-targeted assistance under the literacy

program pursuant to §16-67-2. If approved by the department, a teacher may attend the IDA

aligned program at one-half (1/2) the tuition normally charged.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC004008

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION

CERTIFICATION - PARTIAL FEE WAIVER

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     This act would authorize a one-half (1/2) fee waiver to pay one-half (1/2) the costs of

teachers in obtaining an International Dyslexia Association aligned graduate certificate in

dyslexia knowledge and practice.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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