08-R212

2008 -- H 8265

Enacted 05/08/08

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 8, 2008 AS "CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Brien, Baldelli-Hunt, Gablinske, and Ajello

Date Introduced: May 08, 2008

     WHEREAS, Since the 1995 passage of Rhode Island’s charter public schools enabling

legislation, 11 start-up institutions have been established serving over 3,100 students from 31

communities, with approximately 2,500 of those students or 80% classified as “at risk”; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island charter public schools are demonstrating great success in

serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly in our urban centers; and

     WHEREAS, All Rhode Island charter public schools are classified as either moderately

or high performing; and

     WHEREAS, There is a growing demand for Rhode Island public charter schools as

evidenced by a waiting list of over 3,600 students seeking enrollment; and

     WHEREAS, Charter public schools encourage parental and community involvement in

the education of our youth and provide Rhode Islanders with their only public school choice

option; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island charter public schools are required to participate in all state

mandated assessments, including the School Accountability for Teaching and Learning (SALT)

process. They are subject to all financial reporting requirements which include participation in the

In$ite program and are required to file quarterly financial reports to both the Auditor General and

the Office Municipal Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, Because they are public schools of choice, charter public schools are held to

the highest level of accountability…consumer demand; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 8, 2008 as “Charter Public School Day”, and

recognizes the achievement of our 11 charter public schools; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the principals/directors of Rhode Island’s 11

charter public schools.

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LC02874

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