2019 -- S 0866

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LC002558

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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 - 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:

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

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

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thereto the following section:

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

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

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educator certificate, on and after July 1, 2021.

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     (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall have authority to

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grant, upon application, initial educator certificates to persons who have satisfied the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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(3) parts:

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

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effectively with students, parents, and other educators;

 

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

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subject matter of the certificate sought;

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

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

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

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

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materials at appropriate levels of difficulty for all students; and

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     (3) Be of sound moral character.

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

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

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instructional certification in schools within this state.

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

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

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may be adopted in Massachusetts.

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     (f) Teachers licensed subsequent to the successful passing of the test required by

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subsection (c) of this section shall still be subject to the graduated licensing requirements in place

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for all teachers including, but not limited to, professional licensure, as applicable to teachers

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licensed prior to July 1, 2021.

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

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to implement the provisions of this section.

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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 - CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS - TESTING

REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW TEACHERS

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     This act would establish testing requirements for initial certification of new teachers on

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or after July 1, 2021.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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