14-R378

2014 -- S 3138

Enacted 06/20/14

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO CREATE AND ADOPT A MODEL COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING POLICY

Introduced By: Senators Picard, DiPalma, and Pearson

Date Introduced: June 20, 2014

     WHEREAS, The United States Department of Education defines competency-based

learning as a model of student learning that focuses on student mastery or understanding of

academic content in place of seat time; and

     WHEREAS, Competency-based strategies provide flexibility in the way that credit can

be earned and provides students with personalized learning opportunities, according to the United

States Department of Education; and

     WHEREAS, Competency-based learning can benefit elementary and secondary students,

adult learners and post-secondary students, according to the National Conference of State

Legislatures and the CompetencyWorks Collaborative; and

     WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Education, strategies for

competency-based learning include online and blended learning, dual enrollment, early college

high schools, project-based and community-based learning, and credit recovery; and

     WHEREAS, Many states have implemented competency-based or proficiency-based

options for student learning to decrease high school dropouts, to improve student achievement, to

provide alternative pathways to graduation and to better prepare students for college and careers,

according to the National Conference of State Legislatures; and

    WHEREAS, According to the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, low-performing

schools, state and district budget deficits, multiple pathways to graduation and the availability of

online learning are some reasons to implement a competency-based model in our schools; and

     WHEREAS, Implementing competency-based pathways and models require effective

frameworks for school districts, along with appropriate mechanisms to assess competencies; and

    WHEREAS, The Senate "Rhode to Work" legislative action plan recognized the

importance of the implementation of competency-based learning in our entire public school

system; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the Board of Education, the Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education and the Office of Postsecondary Education adopt a competency-

based/proficiency-based learning policy and a model district policy designed to increase

programmatic opportunities for students in both secondary and post-secondary education to earn

credits through the demonstration of competency; and be it further,

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that the Department of

Elementary and Secondary Education issue guidance on the application of the policy in areas

including, but not limited to, virtual learning, career and technical education, and foreign

languages; and be it further

    RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby respectfully requests that the policy shall indicate

that any seat time freed up by the demonstration of competency must be used to advance the

academic and/or technical training of students, including, but not limited to, tutoring or other

supports for areas a student may require, AP courses, dual enrollment, and internships and

apprenticeships. No student shall be allowed to use the available seat time as free time unless

otherwise approved by the school district and the Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate respectfully requests that the Department of Elementary

and Secondary Education and the Office of the Post-Secondary Commissioner shall make

available the aforementioned model district policy to public higher education institutions, school

districts and school committees upon approval; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the chairperson of the Board of Education,

Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Commissioner of Post-Secondary

Education.

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LC006022

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