Chapter 374

2003 -- S 0323

Enacted 07/19/03

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - RHODE ISLAND STUDENT INVESTMENT FUND

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, and Gibbs

Date Introduced: February 11, 2003

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-7.1-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7.1 entitled "The

Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative" is hereby amended to read as follows:

16-7.1-8. Student equity investment fund. -- The general assembly recognizes the need

to improve fourth grade performances in mathematics, reading, and writing. Therefore, the

general assembly establishes the Student Equity Investment Fund to target students identified as

those requiring additional educational services. The general assembly shall annually appropriate

some sum and distribute it based on each district's proportion of resident children eligible for

USDA reimbursable school meals relative to the total number of eligible students statewide. For

the purposes of this section, the date as of eligibility for USDA reimbursable meals shall be

determined by the June report of the reference year as defined in section 16-7-16. These resources

shall be used to close student performance gaps in accordance with the district's strategic plan

pursuant to section 16-7.1-2. Beginning in FY 2003, the commissioner of elementary and

secondary education may require a district to use up to five percent (5%) of the funds allocated by

this section to increase student and school performance. The five percent (5%) set aside funds

shall only be spent with the prior approval of the commissioner of elementary and secondary

education.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall apply to fiscal year 2004

and thereafter.

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LC01813

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