2019 -- H 6098

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LC002571

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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 - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Maldonado, Edwards, Speakman, and Slater

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2019

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See

Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

thereto the following section:

     16-11-9. Testing requirements for new teachers.

     (a) The provisions of this section shall apply to all persons applying for his or her first

educator certificate on and after July l, 2021.

     (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education (the "commissioner") shall

have authority to grant, upon application, initial educator certificates to persons who have

satisfied the requirements for such certificates as established by the council on elementary and

secondary education (the "council"). The council shall define the knowledge of subject matter and

demonstration of competencies commensurate with attainment and renewal of such certificates.

     (c) To be eligible for initial licensure and certification as an educator, the candidate shall:

     (1) Hold a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences from an accredited college or university

with a major course in the arts or sciences appropriate to the instructional field;

     (2) Take a test established by the council which shall include, but not be limited to, three

(3) parts:

     (i) A writing section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate can communicate

effectively with students, parents, and other educators;

     (ii) A content section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate is knowledgeable in the

subject matter of the certificate sought;

     (iii) A pedagogical section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate understands

theories and methods of instruction to support student academic and non-academic development,

instructional strategies to promote student development of particular skills, how to adjust

instruction techniques based on ongoing assessments, and strategies to select and use meaningful

materials at appropriate levels of difficulty for all students; and

     (3) Be of sound moral character.

     (d) No person shall be barred from certification under this section and chapter solely

because of the person's score on any standardized teacher's test or examination or other tests

established by the council.

     (e) Candidates who complete the requirements in this section shall be issued initial

educator certificates which shall permit them to seek employment in teaching positions requiring

instructional certification in schools within this state.

     (f) The tests required by subsection (c) of this section shall, to the greatest extent

possible, be modeled after the Massachusetts tests for educator licensure, or such similar tests as

may be adopted in Massachusetts.

     (g) Teachers licensed pursuant to this section shall still be subject to the graduated

licensing requirements in place for all teachers, including, but not limited to, professional

licensure, as applicable to teachers licensed prior to July l, 2021.

     (h) The commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary

to implement the provisions of this section.

     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 - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

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     This act would direct the council on elementary and secondary education to implement

teacher licensure tests modeled after the Massachusetts tests for educator licensure, commencing

on July 1, 2021.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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