2019 -- H 5386

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LC001381

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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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: Representatives McEntee, O'Brien, Donovan, Amore, and Craven

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

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

treasury for the fiscal year 2019-2020, 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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LC001381

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