2019 -- S 0866 | |
======== | |
LC002558 | |
======== | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019 | |
____________ | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS - TESTING | |
REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW TEACHERS | |
| |
Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Quezada, Seveney, DiPalma, and Felag | |
Date Introduced: May 08, 2019 | |
Referred To: Senate Education | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See |
2 | Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding |
3 | thereto the following section: |
4 | 16-11-9. Testing requirements for new teachers. |
5 | (a) The provisions of this section shall apply to all persons applying for his or her first |
6 | educator certificate, on and after July 1, 2021. |
7 | (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall have authority to |
8 | grant, upon application, initial educator certificates to persons who have satisfied the |
9 | requirements for such certificates as established by the council on elementary and secondary |
10 | education (the "council"). The council shall define the knowledge of subject matter and |
11 | demonstration of competencies commensurate with attainment and renewal of such certificates. |
12 | (c) To be eligible for initial licensure and certification as an educator, the candidate shall: |
13 | (1) Hold a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences from an accredited college or university, |
14 | with a major course in the arts or sciences appropriate to the instructional field; |
15 | (2) Pass a test established by the council, which shall include, but is not limited to, three |
16 | (3) parts: |
17 | (i) A writing section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate can communicate |
18 | effectively with students, parents, and other educators; |
| |
1 | (ii) A content section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate is knowledgeable in the |
2 | subject matter of the certificate sought; |
3 | (iii) A pedagogical section, which shall demonstrate that the candidate understands |
4 | theories and methods of instruction to support student academic and non-academic development, |
5 | instructional strategies to promote student development of particular skills, how to adjust |
6 | instruction techniques based on ongoing assessments, and strategies to select and use meaningful |
7 | materials at appropriate levels of difficulty for all students; and |
8 | (3) Be of sound moral character. |
9 | (d) Candidates who complete the requirements in this section shall be issued initial |
10 | educator certificates, which shall permit them to seek employment in teaching positions requiring |
11 | instructional certification in schools within this state. |
12 | (e) The tests required by subsection (c) of this section shall, to the greatest extent |
13 | possible, be modeled after the Massachusetts tests for educator licensure, or any similar test as |
14 | may be adopted in Massachusetts. |
15 | (f) Teachers licensed subsequent to the successful passing of the test required by |
16 | subsection (c) of this section shall still be subject to the graduated licensing requirements in place |
17 | for all teachers including, but not limited to, professional licensure, as applicable to teachers |
18 | licensed prior to July 1, 2021. |
19 | (g) The commissioner is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary |
20 | to implement the provisions of this section. |
21 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
======== | |
LC002558 | |
======== | |
| LC002558 - Page 2 of 3 |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS - TESTING | |
REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW TEACHERS | |
*** | |
1 | This act would establish testing requirements for initial certification of new teachers on |
2 | or after July 1, 2021. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
======== | |
LC002558 | |
======== | |
| LC002558 - Page 3 of 3 |