2019 -- S 0938

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LC002562

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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 -- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT -- ANNUAL POLICY

REVIEW

     

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, Pearson, Euer, Paolino, and Satchell

     Date Introduced: May 30, 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 110

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RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE RHODE ISLAND'S OVERALL EDUCATION

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STANDARDS AND GOVERNANCE

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     16-110-1. Education reform.

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     (a) The Rhode Island department of education shall conduct a comprehensive review of

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the Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) of 1993, including subsequent acts and reform

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measures, to determine and recommend ways in which Rhode Island’s resources can be utilized

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most effectively to improve the state’s overall education standards and governance;

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     (b) The comprehensive review shall include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of how

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Rhode Island’s education system can promote success for all students using the following core

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strategies:

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     (1) Strengthening standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessments;

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     (2) Promoting educator development;

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     (3) Supporting social-emotional learning, health, and safety;

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     (4) Assisting the lowest performing districts and schools; and

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     (5) Using technology and data to support student learning.

 

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     (c) The review shall also include:

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     (1) An assessment of the strategic role of charter schools within the education system to

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improve statewide achievement;

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     (2) An assessment of the effectiveness of the education funding formula in relation to the

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legislative goals set forth in chapter 7.2 of title 16; and

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     (3) Assessment of whether and to what extent the department would benefit from

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partnering with external resources such as businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community

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groups.

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     (d) By no later than December 1, 2019, the department shall report on this comprehensive

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review and evaluation to the governor, the senate, and the house of representatives.

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     (e) By no later than December 1 of each subsequent year, the department shall report to

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the governor, the house of representatives, and the senate the ways in which Rhode Island's

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resources are being utilized more effectively to improve the state’s overall education standards

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and governance.

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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 -- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT -- ANNUAL POLICY

REVIEW

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     This act would require the board of education to conduct a comprehensive study of the

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Massachusetts Education Reform Act and report yearly to the governor, the senate and the house

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of representatives.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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