2019 -- S 0755

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LC000744

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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 [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE

RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

     

     Introduced By: Senators Satchell, Picard, Metts, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

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[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read

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as follows:

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     16-22-4. Instruction in health and physical education.

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     (a) All children in grades one through twelve (12) attending public schools, or any other

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schools managed and controlled by the state, except as provided in § 16-100-3(d), shall receive in

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those schools instruction in health and physical education under rules and regulations the

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department of elementary and secondary education may prescribe or approve during periods that

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shall average at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day. No private school or private

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instruction shall be approved by any school committee for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title

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as substantially equivalent to that required by law of a child attending a public school in the same

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city or town unless instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public

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schools shall be given. Commencing September 1, 2012, the required health education curriculum

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shall be based on the health education standards of the Rhode Island health education framework:

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health literacy for all students as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of education and

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consistent with the mandated health instructional outcomes therein. Commencing September 1,

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2012, the required physical education curriculum shall be based on the physical education

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standards of the Rhode Island physical education framework: supporting physically active

 

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lifestyles through quality physical education as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of

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education and consistent with the instructional outcomes therein.

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     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall incorporate, in

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consultation with the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

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hospitals, substance-abuse prevention and suicide prevention into the health education

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curriculum. For the purpose of this section, "substance-abuse prevention" means the

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implementation of evidence-based, age-appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to the

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use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; "suicide prevention" means the

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implementation of evidence-based, appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to mental

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health awareness and suicide prevention.

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     SECTION 2. Section 16-100-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-100 entitled "Dual

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Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     16-100-3. Policy implemented.

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     (a) The Board of Education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide dual enrollment

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policy that shall allow students to enroll in courses at postsecondary institutions to satisfy

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academic credit requirements in both high school and the aforementioned postsecondary

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institutions. The regulations shall address the postsecondary institution's graduation requirements,

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if any; the institution's ability to award degrees/certificates in Rhode Island; the minimum course

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grade to receive credit at the student's secondary school; and any other criteria that the Board

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deems appropriate.

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     (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives

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from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of the postsecondary

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commissioner, superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance

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counselors, and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to

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a dual enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to chapter 7.2 of title

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16; academic supports; transportation; possible shared costs of the education; possible fee

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schedules; manners in which low-income students could access the program; and possible

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contracted tuition costs with our public higher education institutions.

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     (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments to public institutions of higher

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education for dual and concurrent enrollment shall be limited to no greater than the appropriation

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contained in the appropriations act. On or before September 30, 2017, the council on

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postsecondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations enforcing this limitation.

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     (d) Students in grade twelve (12) enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a

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dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus

 

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shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in § 16-22-4(a).

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     SECTION 3. 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 [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE

RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

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     This act would exempt those students in grade twelve (12) who are enrolled full-time in a

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dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus

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from the requirement that they complete health and physical education courses.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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