2023 -- S 0765

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LC002266

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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 -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, Murray, DiMario, Acosta, Euer, Zurier, Quezada, Mack,
Britto, and Gu

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-11 of the General Laws entitled "Certification of Teachers [See

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Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended by adding

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thereto the following section:

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     16-11-11. Educator preparation programs.

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     (a) By August 1, 2024, all educator preparation programs approved by the state shall

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include required coursework for prospective educators regarding cultural competency and how to

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meet the instructional needs of multilingual learners.

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     (b) At a minimum, the coursework regarding cultural competency shall enable prospective

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educators to:

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     (1) Understand their own cultural identity, biases, and experiences of both privilege and

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marginalization;

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     (2) Respond to students of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual

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orientations, and faiths or religions in a manner that is respectful and shows students that they are

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valued; and

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     (3) Adapt to the cultural contexts of the communities they may serve.

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     (c) At a minimum, the coursework regarding meeting the instructional needs of

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multilingual learners shall enable prospective educators to:

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     (1) Design lessons and assignments so that all students can learn;

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     (2) Use research-based instructional strategies; and

 

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     (3) Develop assessments that fairly evaluate each learner’s progress.

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     (d) The coursework required under this chapter may be a stand-alone course or

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incorporated into existing courses.

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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 -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

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     This act would require all educator preparation programs to include lessons on cultural

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competency and how teachers shall meet the instructional needs of multilingual learners.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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