2023 -- H 5739

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LC001432

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representative P. Morgan

     Date Introduced: February 21, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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following section:

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     16-22-39. Respect in education curricula.

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     (a) All Rhode Island schools and every member of Rhode Island's educational system shall,

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not only respect the individual, but also seek to have each person judged and accepted by the content

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of their character, not their race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Schools shall work within the limits

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of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241), to prevent all forms of discrimination.

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     (b) Educators shall not use race and gender stereotypes in any part of the school curricula

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or instruction.

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     (c) Students and all school personnel shall not be segregated based on their race, ethnicity,

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gender, or religion.

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     (d) Racial slurs or terms that describe race, ethnicity, gender or religion in a pejorative

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context or that are used to cast negative opinions, attitudes or views on individuals based upon race,

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ethnicity, gender, or religion shall not be presented in our schools.

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     (e) The legislature acknowledges the fundamental truth that all individuals are equal before

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the law and have inalienable rights. Accordingly, instructional supporting materials must be

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consistent with the principles of individual freedom contained in this section.

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     (f) No individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or

 

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unconsciously, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex.

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     (g) No race is inherently superior to another race.

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     (h) No individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or

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partly on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sex.

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     (i) Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are not racist but fundamental to the right

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to pursue happiness and be rewarded for industry.

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     (j) An individual, by virtue of their race or sex, does not bear responsibility for actions

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committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.

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     (k) The focus of educators and every member of the educational system shall be academic

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excellence and helping every child maximize their educational potential. Basic educational skills

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shall be taught for mastery. Further, all members of the staff of the public schools, subject to the

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rules of the Rhode Island department of education and the school committees, shall teach efficiently

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and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards for

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professionalism and historical accuracy, following the prescribed courses of study, and employing

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approved methods of instruction, consisting of the following:

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     (1) Ideological materials, worksheets, homework, texts or assigned reading, and/or

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mentored discussions that depict identity groups as oppressors and/or victims shall not be

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incorporated within the pedagogy or curricula of schools. Provided, historical, factual events shall

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be taught and presented as historical, factual events, as part of a high quality curricula.

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     (2) Historical events and figures shall be discussed by first developing an understanding of

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the standards, customs, and traditions in use at the time of the historical event.

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     (3) History, literature, social science, and natural science topics shall be subject to critical

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analysis that requires all sides of the topic to be presented and explored.

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     (4) No exclusive focus or centering of curricula on the history, literature, current events, or

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cultural contributions of individual identity groups shall be permitted.

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     (5) Books and instructional materials shall not center any race, ethnicity, gender, religion

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or viewpoint. Instructors, librarians, and all school personnel who interact with children are

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required to use books that balance instruction and promote critical thinking. In all curricula where

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ideological material is studied in an educational facility, students shall be exposed to the alternative

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perspective to achieve educational balance. Provided, historical, factual events shall be taught and

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presented as historical, factual events, as part of a high quality curricula.

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     (6) Ideological or political theories may not be presented as fact. Differences of opinion

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shall be accepted and encouraged. Provided, historical, factual events shall be taught and presented

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as historical, factual events, as part of a high quality curricula.

 

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     (7) Schools shall not use the 1619 Project curriculum or any other curricula that pursues a

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predominantly ideological and/or activist outcome.

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     (l) Educational staff are prohibited from electioneering, pursuing activism, or advocating

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for specific political beliefs or candidates. No visual materials, such as banners, posters or handouts

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promoting racial advocacy shall be allowed in a school setting. Values, psychological and medical

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counseling, and political activism shall not be taught in classrooms or in any school setting.

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     (m) School personnel who violate the provisions of this section may be disciplined at the

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individual school level for the first offense. A second offense shall be referred to the superintendent

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and/or school committee for consideration of appropriate action or imposition of discipline. A third

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or subsequent offense shall be reported to the federal Office of the Attorney General, Civil Rights

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Division under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for any violation of the civil rights of students, parents

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and/or colleagues.

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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 -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would require that both curriculum and teaching practices in Rhode Island schools

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protect and respect the civil rights of all members of the school community.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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