Chapter 247
2019 -- S 0755
Enacted 07/15/2019

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM [SEE TITLE 16 CHAPTER 97 - THE RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION ACT]

Introduced By: Senators Satchell, Picard, Metts, and Pearson
Date Introduced: April 04, 2019

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum
[See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read
as follows:
     16-22-4. Instruction in health and physical education.
     (a) All children in grades one through twelve (12) attending public schools, or any other
schools managed and controlled by the state, except as provided in § 16-100-3(d), shall receive in
those schools instruction in health and physical education under rules and regulations the
department of elementary and secondary education may prescribe or approve during periods that
shall average at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day. No private school or private
instruction shall be approved by any school committee for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title
as substantially equivalent to that required by law of a child attending a public school in the same
city or town unless instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public
schools shall be given. Commencing September 1, 2012, the required health education curriculum
shall be based on the health education standards of the Rhode Island health education framework:
health literacy for all students as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of education and
consistent with the mandated health instructional outcomes therein. Commencing September 1,
2012, the required physical education curriculum shall be based on the physical education
standards of the Rhode Island physical education framework: supporting physically active
lifestyles through quality physical education as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of
education and consistent with the instructional outcomes therein.
     (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall incorporate, in
consultation with the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and
hospitals, substance-abuse prevention and suicide prevention into the health education
curriculum. For the purpose of this section, "substance-abuse prevention" means the
implementation of evidence-based, age-appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to the
use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; "suicide prevention" means the
implementation of evidence-based, appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to mental
health awareness and suicide prevention.
     SECTION 2. Section 16-100-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-100 entitled "Dual
Enrollment Equal Opportunity Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     16-100-3. Policy implemented.
     (a) The Board board of Education education shall prescribe by regulation a statewide
dual enrollment policy that shall allow students to enroll in courses at postsecondary institutions
to satisfy academic credit requirements in both high school and the aforementioned postsecondary
institutions. The regulations shall address the postsecondary institution's graduation requirements,
if any; the institution's ability to award degrees/certificates in Rhode Island; the minimum course
grade to receive credit at the student's secondary school; and any other criteria that the Board
board deems appropriate.
     (b) The board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives
from the department of elementary and secondary education, the office of the postsecondary
commissioner, superintendents, school committees, public higher education institutions, guidance
counselors, and teachers. The purpose of the workgroup is to consider and advise the board as to
a dual enrollment policy and its possible effect on school funding pursuant to chapter 7.2 of title
16 this title; academic supports; transportation; possible shared costs of the education; possible
fee schedules; manners in which low-income students could access the program; and possible
contracted tuition costs with our public higher education institutions.
     (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, payments to public institutions of higher
education for dual and concurrent enrollment shall be limited to no greater than the appropriation
contained in the appropriations act. On or before September 30, 2017, the council on
postsecondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations enforcing this limitation.
     (d) Students in grade twelve (12) enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a
dual enrollment program where the courses are taken on a higher education institution campus
shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in § 16-22-4(a).
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC000744
========