2019 -- S 0198

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LC000463

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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 - THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE

IMMERSION ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, Nesselbush, Quezada, Cano, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 54.1

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THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION ACT

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     16-54.1-1. Definitions.

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     For purposes of this chapter:

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     (1) "Dual language immersion" or "DLI" means a method of instruction that promotes a

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student's full proficiency in all aspects of English and another language. DLI programs educate

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students using both English and a partner language for academic instruction and may divide the

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day by language of instruction. Dual immersion programs may further include two-way

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immersion programs that teach English learners (ELs) alongside English-speakers who are

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learning the partner language, and one-way immersion programs that serve a student population

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with limited to no proficiency in the target language. Teachers pursuant to these programs must

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meet appropriate state certification requirements and be highly qualified as defined by RIDE in

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their content area.

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     (2) "World language" or "WL" means any language other than English, including all

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modern languages, Classical languages, American Sign Language, and Native American

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languages.

 

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     16-54.1-2. Dual language program fund authorized.

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     (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall establish a

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dual language program fund and a position of world language and dual language immersion

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specialist within the department of elementary and secondary education (RIDE). For purposes of

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funding this chapter, the department of elementary and secondary education shall allocate two

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hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) per year, from its budget as enacted:

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     (1) Of which, not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) would be allocated to carry

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out the program to invest in high quality, evidence informed, voluntary, dual language models

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that expand upon the current landscape of dual language programs and to allow successful

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existing programs to serve more English learners. Recipients of funding may include local

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education authorities.

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     (2) Of which, remaining funds shall be used for the establishment of a world language

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and dual language education specialist position at RIDE. The purpose of programs supported by

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this fund shall be to provide pathways to bilingualism and biliteracy for Rhode Island students

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and to close the achievement gap that currently exists for English learners in Rhode Island

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schools.

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     (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall designate a world

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language and dual language immersion specialist to:

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     (1) Provide technical assistance and collaborate with LEAs in the establishment,

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expansion, and improvement of world language and dual language courses and programs;

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     (2) Oversee implementation of dual language immersion pilot;

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     (3) Ensure the inclusion of world language and dual language immersion program data,

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including seal of biliteracy assessment data, in ongoing surveys of Rhode Island LEAs in order

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to:

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     (i) Determine the types of existing world language and dual language immersion courses

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and programs that successfully integrate technology into classroom instruction;

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     (ii) Identify exemplary model world language and dual language immersion programs;

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and

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     (iii) Identify and address staff development needs of current world language and dual

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language immersion teachers, preservice teachers, paraprofessionals, and teacher preparation

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programs.

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     (4) Perform other duties as determined by RIDE.

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     (c) The specialist shall create a competitive request for proposals process to allocate

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funding for the pilot program for the fiscal year no later than October 1 of each year. The request

 

LC000463 - Page 2 of 4

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for proposals should fund only programs with evidence of model effectiveness, clear procedures

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for ensuring program quality and an ongoing commitment to, and plans for, advanced evaluation

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of results. Priority should be given to those LEAs with a high incidence of English learner

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students.

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     (d) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall

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appropriate the necessary position and funding for said position prior to June 30, 2020.

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     16-54.1-3. Reporting.

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     On or before October 31, 2020, and annually thereafter by October 31, the Rhode Island

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department of elementary and secondary education shall report back to the general assembly and

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the governor on the status, progress, and feasibility of the continuation of the pilot program

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authorized by this chapter.

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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 - THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE

IMMERSION ACT

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     This act would establish and require funding for a world language and dual language

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immersion program.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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