2018 -- S 2373

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LC004009

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

APPROPRIATING SUFFICIENT SUMS TO PAY ONE-HALF THE COSTS OF TEACHERS

IN OBTAINING AN INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION ("IDA") ALIGNED

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN DYSLEXIA KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE

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

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     RESOLVED, That the general assembly shall appropriate out of any money in the

treasury not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2017-2018, and annually thereafter, such

sums as are necessary to partially reimburse public school districts who send their qualified,

certified teaching staff within this state 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. These reimbursements shall be distributed through the Rhode Island department of

elementary and secondary education (the "department"). A school district seeking such

reimbursement 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. Upon completion of the program and the attainment of the certificate by

the teacher, the school district shall submit the appropriate application to the department

documenting the costs of attaining the certificate. If the department finds the application and the

provisions of this resolution have been complied with, the department shall reimburse school

districts one-half of the tuition costs for obtaining the certificate, in an amount not to exceed three

thousand, nine hundred thirty dollars ($3,930). The commissioner of elementary and secondary

education is hereby authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for the

payment of said sums, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of

properly authenticated vouchers.

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LC004009

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