2019 -- H 5964

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LC001955

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Speakman, Donovan, Caldwell, and Amore

     Date Introduced: April 05, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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the following section:

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     16-22-9.1. Foster care youth academic reports.

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     (a) Every superintendent of schools employed in accordance with the provisions of

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chapter 2 of title 16 shall on or before July 15, 2019, and annually thereafter on or before July 15,

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complete a report on the progress and status of educational achievement and development of all

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foster care youth attending every public school under the superintendent's care and supervision.

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The report shall include, but not be limited to:

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     (1) The total number of foster care youth identified by school and grade of instruction;

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     (2) The number of foster care youth receiving supplementary literacy instruction pursuant

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to the provisions of § 16-67-2;

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     (3) The foster care youth uniform testing scores for testing pursuant to the provisions of §

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16-22-9, and the percentage of foster care youth that meet or exceed the mean average score for

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uniform testing;

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     (4) The percentage of foster care youth meeting academic standards;

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     (5) The number and percentage of foster care youth receiving alternative or special

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education services;

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     (6) The number of foster care youth suspended or expelled from school during the

 

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academic year;

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     (7) The number of foster care youth identified as involved in chronic absenteeism,

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truancy or as drop-outs; and

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     (8) The number of foster care youth assigned to advanced placement.

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     (b) If the superintendent determines based on the information provided in the report

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prepared pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that foster care youth are disproportionately

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failing to meet academic standards or are disproportionately subject to school discipline

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compared to overall student population, then the superintendent shall develop a remediation plan

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and include the remediation plan as part of the report promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of

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this section.

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     (c) Every superintendent shall provide a copy of the reports promulgated pursuant to

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subsection (a) of this section to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the

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applicable school committee.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 provide that every superintendent of schools shall create an annual report

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on the progress and status of academic achievement of foster care youth. If foster care youth are

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disproportionately failing to meet academic standards a remediation plan would be developed.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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