2021 -- S 0457 | |
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LC001262 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE | |
IMMERSION ACT | |
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Introduced By: Senators Ciccone, Euer, Calkin, Acosta, Valverde, and Bell | |
Date Introduced: March 04, 2021 | |
Referred To: Senate Education | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by |
2 | adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 54.1 |
4 | THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION ACT |
5 | 16-54.1-1. Definitions. |
6 | For purposes of this chapter: |
7 | (1) "Dual language immersion" or "DLI" means a method of instruction that promotes a |
8 | student's full proficiency in all aspects of English and another language. DLI programs educate |
9 | students using both English and a partner language for academic instruction and may divide the |
10 | day by language of instruction. Dual immersion programs may further include two-way immersion |
11 | programs that teach English learners (ELs) alongside English-speakers who are learning the partner |
12 | language, and one-way immersion programs that serve a student population with limited to no |
13 | proficiency in the target language. Teachers pursuant to these programs must meet appropriate state |
14 | certification requirements and be highly qualified as defined by RIDE in their content area. |
15 | (2) "World language" or "WL" means any language other than English, including all |
16 | modern languages, Classical languages, American Sign Language, and Native American |
17 | languages. |
18 | 16-54.1-2. Dual language program fund authorized. |
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1 | (a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall establish a |
2 | dual language program fund and a position of world language and dual language immersion |
3 | specialist within the department of elementary and secondary education (RIDE). For purposes of |
4 | funding this chapter, the department of elementary and secondary education shall allocate two |
5 | hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) per year, from its budget as enacted: |
6 | (1) Of which, not less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) would be allocated to carry out |
7 | the program to invest in high quality, evidence informed, voluntary, dual language models that |
8 | expand upon the current landscape of dual language programs and to allow successful existing |
9 | programs to serve more English learners. Recipients of funding may include local education |
10 | authorities. |
11 | (2) Of which, remaining funds shall be used for the establishment of a world language and |
12 | dual language education specialist position at RIDE. The purpose of programs supported by this |
13 | fund shall be to provide pathways to bilingualism and biliteracy for Rhode Island students and to |
14 | close the achievement gap that currently exists for English learners in Rhode Island schools. |
15 | (b) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall designate a world |
16 | language and dual language immersion specialist to: |
17 | (1) Provide technical assistance and collaborate with LEAs in the establishment, expansion, |
18 | and improvement of world language and dual language courses and programs; |
19 | (2) Oversee implementation of dual language immersion pilot; |
20 | (3) Ensure the inclusion of world language and dual language immersion program data, |
21 | including seal of biliteracy assessment data, in ongoing surveys of Rhode Island LEAs in order to: |
22 | (i) Determine the types of existing world language and dual language immersion courses |
23 | and programs that successfully integrate technology into classroom instruction; |
24 | (ii) Identify exemplary model world language and dual language immersion programs; and |
25 | (iii) Identify and address staff development needs of current world language and dual |
26 | language immersion teachers, preservice teachers, paraprofessionals, and teacher preparation |
27 | programs. |
28 | (4) Perform other duties as determined by RIDE. |
29 | (c) The specialist shall create a competitive request for proposals process to allocate |
30 | funding for the pilot program for the fiscal year no later than October 1 of each year. The request |
31 | for proposals should fund only programs with evidence of model effectiveness, clear procedures |
32 | for ensuring program quality and an ongoing commitment to, and plans for, advanced evaluation |
33 | of results. Priority should be given to those LEAs with a high incidence of English learner students. |
34 | (d) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall appropriate |
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1 | the necessary position and funding for said position prior to June 30, 2022. |
2 | 16-54.1-3. Reporting. |
3 | On or before October 31, 2022, and annually thereafter by October 31, the Rhode Island |
4 | department of elementary and secondary education shall report back to the general assembly and |
5 | the governor on the status, progress, and feasibility of the continuation of the pilot program |
6 | authorized by this chapter. |
7 | 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 -- THE WORLD LANGUAGE AND DUAL LANGUAGE | |
IMMERSION ACT | |
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1 | This act would establish and require funding for a world language and dual language |
2 | immersion program. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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