2020 -- S 2399

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LC003809

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ENSURING PROPER REPORTING

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

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-1 of the General Laws entitled "State Department of Elementary

and Secondary Education [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-1-15. Ensuring proper data reporting - Teacher absences.

     (a) Each local education agency (LEA) shall develop and maintain a system to collect and

report data to the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education (the

"department") pertaining to educator absences. The system shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) A mechanism to ensure that educator absences due to attendance at professional

development activities, field trips, and pre-approved absences longer than six (6) days are not

reported to the department; and

     (2) A process for appeal, should an educator dispute the number or type of absences

attributed to him or her in an academic year.

     (b) By August 1, 2021, the department shall complete a review of the system(s) used by

each LEA to collect and report data pertaining to educator absences to ensure that the systems are

operating in accordance with this section.

     (c) If the department finds that a data reporting system is not operating in accordance

with this section:

     (1) The department shall notify the LEA in writing that the system is out of compliance;

     (2) The LEA shall have sixty (60) days from the date of the written notification to

institute a compliant system; and

     (3) The department shall conduct a follow-up review of the LEA’s system no later than

ninety (90) days after the date of the written notification to determine compliance.

     (d) By December 1, 2021, the department shall provide written confirmation to the

governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house that the review has been

completed, and that each LEA is using a data reporting system that is in compliance with this

section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003809

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - ENSURING PROPER REPORTING

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     This act would require local education entities to develop and maintain a system to report

teacher absences to the department of elementary and secondary education.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003809

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