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

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

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

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

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certified teaching staff within this state to obtain a graduate certificate in dyslexia knowledge and

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practice as designed and implemented by the University of Rhode Island and aligned with the

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International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of

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Reading. These reimbursements shall be distributed through the Rhode Island department of

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

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

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

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

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literacy program pursuant to ยง16-67-2. If approved by the department, a teacher may attend the

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IDA aligned program. Upon completion of the program and the attainment of the certificate by

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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properly authenticated vouchers.

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LC004009

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