Introduced By: Representatives McNamara and Crowley
Date Introduced : June 26, 1998
RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members: five (5) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed by the speaker: of whom shall be representative of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the National Education Association (NEA), to be appointed by the Speaker; one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Department of Education, to be appointed by the Speaker; and one (1) of whom shall be a representative of the House Policy Staff, to be appointed by the Speaker.
In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
The purpose of said commission shall be to establish performance standards in mathematics and writing (which may exceed but not be lower than state standards) for the 4th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade students, and each student must meet this standard before being promoted.
Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
The speaker of the house is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission: and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives on or before January 20, 1999 and said commission shall expire on March 20, 1999.
