2022 -- H 8347

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LC006118

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Representative Raymond A. Hull

     Date Introduced: June 16, 2022

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum [See Title 16

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

following section:

     16-22-36. Dual language immersion model policy and timeline.

     (a) The Rhode Island department of education ("department"), in consultation with local

education agencies ("LEAs") that have a dual language immersion program, shall create a model

policy and timeline to assist LEAs in developing and implementing a dual language immersion

program.

     (b) The LEAs approached by the department to consult on the model policy and timeline

pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall cooperate with the department's requests or inquires

related to any dual language immersion program in a timely manner.

     (c) The model policy and timeline shall:

     (1) Be accessed easily by LEAs through electronic publication or other public distribution;

     (2) Include, but need not be limited to:

     (i) A detailed description of best practices;

     (ii) A step-by-step timeline; and

     (iii) A list of sources consulted and additional resources to which LEAs may refer if any

questions arise concerning the development and implementation of a dual language immersion

program.

     (d) The model policy and timeline shall be sent to the president of the senate and the

speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2023. The department shall also report to the

general assembly, beginning on July 31, 2023 and annually thereafter, the number of LEAs with

dual language immersion programs, the number of students served in a dual language immersion

program by grade level, and the number of teachers for each grade with a dual language immersion

program for the most recent school year.

     (e) The Rhode Island department of education shall:

     (1) Research the educational impact of dual language immersion programs across New

England and report the findings to the general assembly no later than July 31, 2023; and

     (2) Encourage LEAs to expand or develop courses in world languages in order that students

in elementary and middle schools have access to such courses.

     (f) For the purposes of this section, "local education agencies" shall include all of the

following within the state of Rhode Island:

     (1) Public school districts;

     (2) Regional school districts;

     (3) State-operated schools;

     (4) Regional collaborative schools; and

     (5) Charter schools.

     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 -- CURRICULUM

***

     This act would require the department of education to create a model policy and timeline

to assist local education agencies in implementing a dual language immersion program. This model

policy and timeline would be sent to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house by

January 1, 2023 with annual reports commencing July 1, 2023 and thereafter.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC006118

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