WHEREAS, The number one concern of the public, parents, students and school employees is that school should be a place where there is safety, order, respect and high academic standards; and

WHEREAS, Parents, students and school employees overwhelmingly state that the misbehavior of some students interferes with providing quality education to students who want to learn; and

WHEREAS, Most students, parents and school personnel believe that discipline and order are the prerequisites to learning and the majority of students who want to learn and are willing to study and work hard should not be denied their education by the small number of students who are violent or disruptive; and

WHEREAS, There is strong support among the public, parents, teachers and business for higher standards in the basic subjects; and

WHEREAS, There is widespread concern among the public, parents, business and teachers that the United States needs to reach higher standards of educational achievement to be competitive in the world economy; and

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby reaffirms that mission by declaring that democratic citizenship and productive adulthood begin with standards of conduct and standards for achievement in our schools. Other education reforms may work; high standards of conduct and achievement do work--and nothing else can work without them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That recognizing that rights carry responsibilities, this Senate declares that:

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in school districts and schools that have clear discipline codes with fair and consistently enforced consequences for misbehavior.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in school districts that have alternative educational placements for violent or chronically disruptive students.

All students and school staff have a right to be treated with courtesy and respect.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in school districts, schools and classrooms that have clearly stated and rigorous academic standards.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in well-equipped schools that have the instructional materials needed to carry out a rigorous academic program.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in schools where teachers know their subject matter and how to teach it.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in school districts, schools and classrooms where high grades stand for high achievement and promotion is earned.

All students and school staff have a right to learn and work in school districts and schools where getting a high school diploma means having the knowledge and skills essential for college or a good job.

All students and school staff have a right to be supported by parents, the community, public officials and business in their efforts to uphold high standards of conduct and achievement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.