| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 Health |
Signed into law 07/2012 |
P-12 |
Allows students to carry auto-injectable epinephrine and adds bus drivers and monitors as adults who may administer epinephrine under certain circumstances. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7447A.htm
Title: H.B. 7447
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
This act would require that individuals seeking to participate in any mentoring program whereby the individual would be working with a student or students as a mentor or in a mentoring situation would be required to undergo a criminal background check similar to other employees in a public or private school..
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7077.pdf
Title: H.B. 7077
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Budget Bill. Includes amendments that require districts to use a uniform system of accounting that includes a standardized budget process to ensure districts can annually assess investment priorities and incorporate long range planning. Require that, upon completion of the implementation of the uniform chart of accounts, all the school districts, regional school districts, state schools, and/or charter schools, shall implement a regents-approved budget model, and use best practices established by the department of education for long range planning, budget development, and budget administration and reporting. Requires the department of elementary and secondary education in consultation with the division of municipal finance, to conduct periodic reviews and analysis of school revenues and expenses. The department is to also review and monitor compliance with the approved budget model and best practices -- identifying those local education agencies considered to be at risk of a year-end deficit or a structural deficit that could impact future years. Such potential deficits are to be identified based on the periodic reviews, which may also include on-site visits and reporting. Requires potential deficits to be reported to the office of municipal finance, office of auditor general, superintendent, chairman of the school committee, mayor or town manager, and the president of the town council, of the applicable school district, regional school district, or state school, and/or for a charter school, to the board of trustees or directors, as applicable.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext12/housetext12/h7323a01.htm
Title: H.B. 7323A
Source: |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Adds corporations to the list of entities who may act as trustee for trust agreements between school districts and corporate trustees in reference to OPEB (other post employment benefits) trusts. Also allows school districts to employ corporations to advise on the investment of the OPEB trust and pay for it and allows corporations to manage and operate OPEB trusts but requires a separate yearly audit annually.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2038.htm
Title: S.B. 2038
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the addition of a nonvoting ex-officio student representative member to the Rhode Island board of regents for elementary and secondary education. Also establishes a student advisory council to the board of regents consisting of one high school representatives from each public secondary school in the state.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H8257.htm
Title: H.B. 8257 (S.B. 2447)
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
The budget bill includes provision for a process of streamlining the work of the Board of Governors for Higher Education and the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. Effective January 1, 2013, creates an 11-member Board of Education to help coordinate the state's education systems to ensure that students graduating from high school are fully prepared for college. The Board will be vested with all the powers and duties currently vested in the two existing boards. Membership: 11 appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the senate. The governor will select a chairperson and vice chairperson. The statutory responsibilities of the department of elementary adn secondary education, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and the commissioner of higher education remain unchanged. The state board of education will appoint a Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and a Commissioner of Higher Education. Section 16-96-3 establishes an executive committee of education composed of the president of the University of Rhode Island, the commissioner of higher education, and the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The commissioner of higher education will serve as chairperson. Section 16-96-4 (effective January 1, 2013) requires use of the term "Rhode Island Board of Education" in lieu of any existing reference made to existing boards. 16-96-5 abolishes the board of governors for higher education and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education effective January 1, 2013.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext12/housetext12/h7323a01.htm
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7323Aaa.pdf
Title: H.B. 7323A - Streamlining Governance Section
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires the establishment of clear training guidelines for teachers who will teach advanced placement classes in Rhode Island public schools. Defines "Vertical team" as a group of teachers and educators from different grade levels in a given discipline who work cooperatively to develop and implement a vertically aligned program aimed at helping students from diverse backgrounds acquire the academic skills necessary for success in advanced placement courses and other challenging courses. Requires that advanced placement and pre-advanced placement training to teachers do all of the following: (1) Provide teachers of advanced placement and teachers in courses that lead to advanced placement with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in advanced placement courses and examinations and other advanced course
examinations and mastery of postsecondary course content. (2) Provide administrators, including principals and counselors, with professional development that will be enable them to create strong and effective advanced placement programs in their schools. (3) Provide middle grade, junior high, and high school teachers with advanced placement vertical team training and other pre-advanced placement professional development that prepares students for success in advanced placement courses. (4) Support the implementation of an instructional program for students in grades 6-12 that provides an integrated set of instructional materials, diagnostic assessments, and teacher professional development in reading, writing, and mathematics that prepares all students for enrollment and success in advanced placement courses and in college. Requires the state board of regents to encourage districts to offer rigorous courses in grades 6-11 that prepare students for the demands of advanced placement course work. Also requires the Regents to encourage districts to make it a goal that all 10th
graders take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) so that test results will provide each high school with a database of student
assessment data that guidance counselors and teachers will be able to use to identify students who are prepared or who need additional work to be prepared to enroll and be successful in advanced placement courses, using a research-based advanced placement identification program provided by the college board.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7108A.htm
Title: H.B. 7108 (S.B. 2275)
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Adds new chapter 93 designed to promote access to advanced placement courses for all students in Rhode Island public high schools by funding training in eligible schools where AP courses have not been offered in four core academic areas. Requires the department to establish rules and regulations that include but are not limited to, the following: (1) In consultation with the college board, certify those teacher-training entities that are qualified to provide training of teachers to teach advanced placement courses; (2) In certifying teacher-training entities for this program, ensure that the training times and locations will be geographically accessible for teachers from eligible school entities to attend; (3) ensure that training provided by those teacher-training entities provides teachers of advanced placement courses with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in advanced placement courses and examinations; and (4) Starting at the end of the first year of the program, and every year thereafter, report to the general assembly on the advanced placement teacher-training program. Such reports must include, but not be limited to: (i) The number of teachers receiving training in advanced placement instructions in school entities, school districts and high schools in each of the 4 core academic areas; (ii) The number of students taking advanced placement courses at school entities in each of the 4 core academic areas; (iii) The number of students scoring a 3 or more on an advanced placement examination at school entities in each of the four (4) core academic areas; (iv) The remaining unmet need for trained teachers in school entities that do not offer advanced placement courses.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2356.htm
Title: S.B. 2356
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Rhode Island statewide virtual education act, to promote the use of and quality of virtual courses as part of public education.Requires the Commissioner to report annually to the legislature on the following: Virtual course participation rates, with participation information disaggregated for core content areas; (2) Expenditures related to virtual education, in aggregate and by district; (3) The results of student assessments for students participating in virtual education in core content areas, disaggregated from overall district data; and (4) Any other information the commissioner deems relevant.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2276Aaa.htm
Title: S.B. 2276, H.B. 7126
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides for the funding of up to four (4) districts for full-day kindergarten. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education determines which districts would receive these funds. Defines "full-day kindergarten" as a kindergarten program that operates a minimum of 5 1/2 hours or 330 minutes of actual school work, excluding lunch, recess periods, common planning time, pre- and post-school teacher time, study halls, homeroom periods, student passing time and any other time that is not actual instructional time. Requires districts receiving this funding to operate only full-day programs, not half-day. Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to report on the progress of the program annually by May 1st of each year.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H8049.htm
Title: H.B. 8049 (S.B. 2534)
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Adds a representative of community-based providers of services to adults with disabilities and a representative of community-based providers of adult behavioral healthcare to the interagency transition council within the department of elementary and secondary education. This act also lowers from 16 to 14 the age for transition planning to be initiated. Makes other technical amendments.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7739Aaa.htm
Title: H.B. 7739
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education--Transition |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Modifies the membership of the transition council. The council supports transition from school to self-sufficient adulthood for students with
disabilities.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2446A.pdf
Title: S.B. 2446A
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Attendance--Truancy |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Prohibits schools from considering a students truancy or absenteeism as a basis for using an out-of-school suspension as a disciplinary action.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/HouseText12/H7287A.htm
Title: H.B. 7287 and S.B. 2542
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Allows bus drivers and monitors to administer epinephrine under certain circumstances. Requires training. Allows for student possession of ephinephrine.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText12/SenateText12/S2173Aaa.htm
Title: S.B. 2173
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends total membership of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education from nine to ten to allow for appointment of a student member (ex-officio and non-voting).
Establishes a student advisory council to the Board of Regents, consisting of one elected high school student representative from each public secondary school in the state. Sets forth procedures for election of high school representatives. (16-60.1 and 2) http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law12/law12341.htm
Title: S.B. 2447
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds. |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends membership on the policy advisory board (from 9-11) to include two representatives who are members of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of
Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island).
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law12/law12110.htm
Title: H.B. 7080, S.B. 2185
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides students access to any career-preparation program in the state, not only to those in their district of resident. Directs the Department of Education to ensure that career-preparation programs align with and promote workforce and economic development in the state.
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DESE/6665.pdf
Title: Regulation Based on Authority of 16-60-1 to 16-60-4
Source: http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DESE/6665.pdf |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2012 |
P-12 |
Authorizes Budget Commission established under Title 45 of the Rhode Island General Laws to certify to the Rhode Island Department of Revenue the need to advance payments of the state's basic education program.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext12/housetext12/h7052.htm
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext12/senatetext12/s2016.pdf
Title: H.B. 7052 and S.B. 2016
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Attendance--Compulsory |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Raises the upper age for compulsory attendance from 16 to age 18. Add enrollment in a postsecondary institution an exception for this requirement. Allows waivers only upon proof that the pupil is 16 or older and has an alternative learning plan for obtaining either a high school diploma or its equivalent. Requires that alternative learning plans include age-appropriate academic rigor and the flexibility to incorporate the pupil's interests and manner of learning. These plans may include, but are not limited to, such components or combination of components of extended learning opportunities as independent study, private instruction, performing groups, internships, community service, apprenticeships, and online courses that are currently funded and available to the school department and/or the community. Requires that alternative learning plans be developed, and amended if necessary, in consultation with the pupil, a school guidance counselor, the school principal and at least one parent or guardian of the pupil, and submitted to the superintendent for approval.If the superintendent does not approve the alternative learning plan, the parent or guardian of the pupil may appeal such decision to the school committee. A parent or guardian may appeal the decision to the commissioner of education.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11376.htm
Title: H.B. 5061 and S.B. 46
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Career/Technical Education |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to promulgate regulations pertaining to career and technical education and to report annually to the House and Senate on the following:
(1) The total number of students attending career and technical schools/programs, where determinable;
(2) The total number of those students in subsection (1) who have received diplomas;
(3) The total number of those students in subsection (1) who have received industry recognized certificates, if the information is available;
(4) The total number of students who transfer to another school and/or continue their secondary education;
(5) The total number of students who obtain employment before or immediately after graduation;
(6) The total number of students who attend post-secondary institutions;.
(7) The retention rate within each program from year to year;
(8) Progress on developing a plan to study the number of students who find employment in the field studied at three (3) and five (5) years intervals post-graduation;
(9) The cost per pupil per program per year; and
(10) The number of special education students per program.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11188.htm
Title: H.B. 6219
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Notwithstanding other provisions, requires that the power and duty to enter into collective bargaining agreements be vested in the
chief executive officer of the municipality and not in the school committee. Gives the elected school committees of each city, town, or regional school district, or the chief executive officer of any municipality having an appointed school committee, the power to bind their successors and successor committees by entering into contracts of employment in the exercise of their governmental functions. Addresses other particulars.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11265.htm
Title: S.B. 1062
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Adds an annual refresher course to the initial course requirement for coaches and volunteers, and encourages districts to have
school nurses complete a training course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Encourages districts to get student neuropsychological testing, computerized or otherwise. A youth athlete, who has been removed from play, may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed physician who may consult with an athletic trainer, all of whom must be trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. The athlete must receive written clearance to play from the physician.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11237.htm
Title: H.B. 5440 and S.B. 0291 A
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines "Recovery High School" as a public school or a special education program licensed by RIDE that: (i) Serves students diagnosed with substance use disorder or dependency, as defined by the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders IV-TR; and (ii) Provides both comprehensive four (4) year high school education and a structured plan of recovery. Specifies the transfer of school aid. Authorizes the commissioner to create a pilot and specifies the entities that could apply to operate such a pilot. After 2 years of operation, the pilot recovery high school will be required to submit an analysis demonstrating the educational outcomes, including, but not limited to, graduation rates, retention rates, course performance, and performance on the state assessment
attained through the pilot to the commissioner.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11388.htm
Title: H.B. 6055, S.B. 439 A
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Adds a new chapter to create the Rhode Island Family Engagement Advisory Council to promote family engagement with education practice in Rhode Island. Sets membership and duties.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11246.htm
Title: H.B. 5995
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) |
Signed into law 07/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends background checks to require school employee applicants or child care operators to apply to the Rhode Island bureau of criminal identification for a criminal background check. Requires and any expense associated with providing the criminal record check shall be paid by the applicant and/or requesting agency.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11240.htm
Title: H.B. 5455
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Curriculum--Social Studies/History |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Defines genocide and requires the state department of education to make available on its website curriculum materials and such other materials as may assist local and regional school committees in developing instructional programs. Specifies that the curriculum materials may include information on relevant genocides, including the Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda, and Darfur. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us
Title: H.B. 5732, S.B. 290
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Enacts the "Safe School Act." to combat bullying. Explicitly prohibits any form or degree of bullying at school. Defines "Bullying" as the use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student that: (i) Causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student's property; (ii) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property; (iii) Creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive educational environment for the student; (iv) Infringes on the rights of the student to participate in school activities; or
(v) Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. The expression, physical act or gesture may include, but is not limited to, an incident or incidents that may be reasonably perceived as being motivated by characteristics such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or mental, physical, or sensory disability, intellectual ability or by any other distinguishing characteristic.
Defines "Cyber-bullying" as bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, texting or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. Cyber-bullying also includes: (i) The creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person; (ii) The knowing impersonation of another person as the author or posted content or messages; or (iii) The distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of materials on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the creation, impersonation, or distribution results in any of the conditions enumerated in clauses (i) to (v) of the definition of bullying herein.
Defines "At school" as on school premises, at any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, on a school-transportation vehicle, at an official school bus stop, using property or equipment provided by the school, or creates a material and substantial disruption of the education process or the orderly operation of the school.
Requires statewide implementation. Requires the state department of education to prescribe by regulation a statewide bullying policy, ensuring a consistent and unified, statewide approach to the prohibition of bullying at school. The statewide policy applies to all schools and is required to contain the following:
(1) Descriptions of and statements prohibiting bullying, cyber-bullying and retaliation at school;
(2) Clear requirements and procedures for students, staff, parents, guardians and others to report bullying or retaliation;
(3) A provision that reports of bullying or retaliation may be made anonymously; provided, however, that no disciplinary action shall be taken against a student solely on the basis of an anonymous report;
(4) Clear procedures for promptly responding to and investigating reports of bullying or retaliation;
(5) The range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against a perpetrator for bullying or retaliation; provided, however, that the disciplinary actions balance the need for accountability with the need to teach appropriate behavior; and provided, further, that they include (i) A parental engagement strategy; and (ii) A provision that states punishments for violations of the bullying policy shall be
determined by the school's appropriate authority; however, no student shall be suspended from school unless it is deemed a necessary consequence of the violations;
(6) Clear procedures for restoring a sense of safety for a victim and assessing that victim's needs for protection;
(7) Strategies for protecting from bullying or retaliation a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying or witnesses or has reliable information about an act of bullying;
(8) Procedures for promptly notifying the parents or guardians of a victim and a perpetrator; provided, further, that the parents or guardians of a victim shall also be notified of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation; and provided, further, that the procedures shall provide for immediate notification of the local law enforcement agency when criminal charges may be pursued against the perpetrator;
(9) A provision that a student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying or retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action;
(10) A strategy for providing counseling or referral to appropriate services currently being offered by schools or communities for perpetrators and victims and for appropriate family members of said students. The plan shall afford all students the same protection regardless of their status under the law;
(11) A provision that requires a principal or designee to be responsible for the implementation and oversight of the bullying policy;
(12) Provisions for informing parents and guardians about the bullying policy of the school district or school shall include, but not be limited to: (i) A link to the policy prominently posted on the home page of the school district's website and distributed annually to parents and guardians of students; (ii) A provision for notification, within twenty-four (24) hours, of the incident report, to the parents or guardians of the victim of bullying and parents or guardians of the alleged perpetrator of the bullying;
(13) A school employee, school volunteer, student, parent, legal guardian, or relative caregiver who promptly reports, in good faith, an act of bullying to the appropriate school official designated in the school's policy is immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting bullying;
(14) This section does not prevent a victim from seeking redress under any other available law, either civil or criminal. This section does not create or alter any tort liability;
(15) Students are to be prohibited from accessing social networking sites at school, except for educational or instructional purposes and with the prior approval from school administration.
(16) All school districts, charter schools, career and technical schools, approved private day or residential schools and collaborative schools are subject to the requirements of this section.
Requires school districts and schools to adopt the statewide bullying policy promulgated pursuant to this section by June 30, 2012.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law11/law11162.htm
Title: H.B. 5941
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Adopted 04/2011 |
P-12 |
The regulations were adopted in order to provide uniform rules for the establishment, operation, and oversight of charter schools in Rhode Island.
http://www2.sos.ri.gov/cgi-bin/topdf/tmp/6434tmp.pdf or http://sos.ri.gov/rules/index.php?page=details&erlid=6434
Full text of the regulations: http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf//DESE/6434.pdf
Title: RI ADC 21-2-58:C-1- through C-9-1
Source: http://www2.sos.ri.gov |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Adopted 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Changes the date for implementation of the graduation requirements from the class of 2012 to the class of 2014. The tiered diploma structure was replaced with a Regents' commendation to recognize students achieving beyond minimum expectations. The system of student supports was modified by moving the requirement for an early warning system from Grade 8 to Grade 6, clarifying the supports and sequence of activities for students not meeting Regents-specified levels of academic readiness on the state assessments, requiring a progress plan for such students, and adding more specific language to provide support for English-language learners. A section on waivers from the state assessment requirement, along with criteria and the process of granting and receiving waivers, was added. Increased detail and specificity was added to the provision concerning the level of proficiency on state assessments and the definition and application of the term "progress toward proficiency," The term "common planning time" was further clarified in the Definitions section.
http://sos.ri.gov/rules/index.php?page=details&erlid=6433
Full text: http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DESE/6433.pdf
Title: RI ADC 21-2-46:L-6-1.0 through 6-4.0
Source: http://sos.ri.gov/rules |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
07/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Cooperative Service Among School Districts Act of 2010 to maximize both educational effectiveness and business services, to lead to cost savings. Defines "collaborative," "educational collaborative" "regional collaborative" as 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations. Authorizes the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to provide for special grants to encourage the development of cooperative service agreements, to be administered by the area educational collaborative. Also permits the regents to establish an ongoing level of subsidy as deemed appropriate to continue the operation of any cooperative service area.
Directs each educational collaborative to submit a plan to the board of regents, for approval by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, that will increase efficiencies and economies of scale in providing instructional services. Provides the plan must incorporate best practices from business, reflect a regional approach and accompanying volume increase, and must include measures concerning:
(1) Teacher training programs and staff development
(2) Special education programs and diagnostic services required by law or regulation and related functions
(3) Programs for the gifted and talented
(4) Programs for students who are at risk of suspension or expulsion
(5) Development of shared instructional services
(6) Act as regional or statewide administrative unit, or enabling unit or as a participant of a joint purchasing agreement or agreements established pursuant to section 16-2-9.2, for such functions as transportation, cooperative purchasing of food, and other noninstructional support services, such as the purchasing of oil, gas, electricity, health care contracts, supplies, payroll and other business operations, as may be appropriate
(7) Any other consolidation of services and purchasing that achieves efficiencies and cost savings.
Permits an educational collaborative to contract with a non-member school district, or with another educational collaborative. Authorizes districts to contract any of their functions to a regional collaborative when such contracting will increase efficiencies and economies of scale in providing instructional and business services. Provides for board of directors for each education collaborative; requires each participating school committee to appoint one member to the respective governing board. Provides that nothing in these provisions may allow any school district to abrogate any agreement reached by collective bargaining. This act takes effect on December 31, 2010. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10086.htm
Title: H.B. 7668, S.B. 2266
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Rewrites charter school provisions. Establishes separate provisions for "district charter schools" (existing schools converting to charter status), "independent charter schools" (start-up charter schools created by nonprofit organizations or postsecondary institutions), and "mayoral academies" (schools created by a mayor). For each type of charter school, establishes legislative provisions relating to entities eligible to apply for a charter, procedure for creation of a charter school, process for consideration of a proposed charter, revocation of a charter, budgets and funding, and charter school reporting. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10084.htm
Title: H.B. 7867, S.B. 2734
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Extends role of the Community College of Rhode Island as a workforce development center. Redefines purpose of the community college to be "to offer all students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for intellectual, professional and personal growth by providing an array of academic, career and lifelong learning programs, while contributing to Rhode Island's economic development and the needs of the region's workforce." http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10099.htm
Title: H.B. 8181, S.B.2823
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends powers and duties of Rhode Island Human Resource Investment Council. Repeals provision requiring council to prepare an annual report on the council's goals, policies and activities. Directs the council to annually produce a Unified Workforce Development Expenditure and Program Report to be submitted to the general assembly beginning January 1, 2011 and covering activity for the previous fiscal year ending June 30th. Requires that the report include expenditures by agencies for specified employment and training programs, and show the number of individuals served by each program, including demographic information by gender and race/ethnicity; outcome information and such other information as may be determined by the Human Resource Investment Council.
Directs the human resource investment council to establish a State Career Pathways System to increase the skill level of workers in alignment with industry needs. Directs the council to create a 15-member task force, to include the commissioner of higher education, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, the director of the department of labor and training, the executive director of the economic development corporation and the director of the community college of Rhode Island's center for workforce and community education. Directs the task force to work in coordination with the adult education committee of the human resource investment council to develop and oversee the career pathways system. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10098.htm
Title: H.B. 8220
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the department of elementary and secondary education, with the department of administration, to implement a statewide purchasing system for all public schools, for the purchase of goods, supplies and services, including:
(1) General school supplies such as paper goods, office supplies, textbooks and cleaning products
(2) Telecommunications, wireless services, computer equipment, hardware and software needed to support curriculum objectives
(3) General non-medical and dental insurance products and services; provided however, that the statewide purchasing system must permit districts to establish their own benefit and coverage levels.
Authorizes the department of elementary and secondary education and local and regional school districts to participate in purchasing collaboratives, consisting of two or more states, subject to prior approval of the
chief purchasing officer and rules and regulations promulgated by the department. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10023-13.htm
Title: H.B. 7397, Article 13, Section 5
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--Federal |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Joint resolution supporing the federal "Race to the Top" grant program and urging the governor and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a competitive application for the Race to the Top Round Two.
Title: S.J.R. 2888
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Finance--Federal |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Joint resolution supporting the Federal "Race to the Top" grant program and urging the governor and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a competitive application for the Race to the Top Round Two.
Title: H.J.R. 8175
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
From RILIN "2010 List of Legislative Accomplishments": Establishes the first statewide education funding formula the state has had in 15 years. The formula, which takes effect for the 2012 fiscal year, provides a core amount for each student statewide, additional funding to help close the achievement gap between wealthy and poor students, and adjustments for the community's poverty concentration and its ability to support its schools through its property tax base.
Bill text: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10125.htm
2010 List of Legislative Accomplishments (education on pp 2-3): http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Documents/2010%20legislative%20accomplishmentse.doc
DOE summary: http://www.ride.ri.gov/Finance/Funding/FundingFormula/Docs/Funding_Formula_Summary_by_Section_H8094Aaa.pdf
Title: H.B. 8094, S.B. 2770
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us and www.ride.ri.gov |
Governance--Mandates |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates a special legislative commission to study relief from state mandates. Includes among the commission's nine members the commissioner of education or designee; and a union representative who represents teachers, to be appointed by the senate president. Directs the commission to report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by February 1, 2011. Provides the commission will expire on March 31, 2011. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10339.htm
Title: S.R. 3013
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Governance--School Boards--Training |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires that school committees (local school boards) undergo at least six hours of professional development annually. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10299.htm
Title: S.B. 2777
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the department of health, to make Lyme disease awareness and prevention resources available for all public school students in the state. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10087.htm
Title: H.B. 7418A, S.B. 2265B
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education and the department of health to work with the Rhode Island interscholastic league to inform coaches, youth athletes, and their parents on the nature and risk of concussion and head injury. Requires that the youth athlete and the athlete's parent sign and return a concussion and head injury information sheet before the youth athlete's return to practice or competition. Requires that districts use training materials made available by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and that the department of education post CDC training materials on its Web site. Requires all coaches, trainers, and volunteers involved in a youth sport or activity to complete a training course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Encourages districts to have all student athletes baseline or "impact" tested before the start of every sport season. Requires that parents be provided with information on the risk of concussion and/or traumatic brain injuries before the start of every sport season, and that they sign an acknowledgement of receipt of such information. Requires that a youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game be removed from competition at that time. Prohibits a youth athlete who has been removed from play from returning to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed physician and receives written clearance from him/her to return to play. Encourages all districts to have an athletic trainer or similarly trained person at all recreational and athletic events. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10022.htm
Title: H.B. 7036, S.B. 2034
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
This act would require school districts to work with the Rhode Island interscholastic league to develop guidelines for educating coaches and players in youth sports about the risks associated with concussions.
http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=Bills&WCE=BillEvent&WCU=H7036Aaa
Title: H.B. 7036
Source: http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Moves from February 2010 to February 2011 date by which the board of governors for higher education must present to the general assembly an initial report, recommendations and timeline on the "Bachelors Degree in Three" program. Delays start of pilot "Bachelors Degree in Three" program to fall 2011.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10075.htm
Title: H.B. 7342, S.B. 2124
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
P-3 Child Care |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Amends joint resolution creating a permanent legislative commission on child care in Rhode Island. Revises provisions related to commission membership http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10372.htm
Title: H.R. 7826
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Students--Foster Youth |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates the Task Force on the Education of Children and Youth in the Care of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Directs the task force to make recommendations for:
(1) Identifying challenges to ensuring the educational stability and success of children and youth involved with DCYF from pre-K through college undergraduates, including, but not
limited to:
(i) Determining when a child's and/or youth's educational placement is not in his/her best interest
(ii) Ensuring that transportation issues are addressed to assist in maintaining educational stability
(iii) Immediate transfer of student records and collaboration between schools on the provision of student information when a student needs to move schools
(iv) Ensuring the portability of student credits and graduation requirement expectations when a student's educational placement changes
(v) Identifying issues related to school residency and/or educational funding issues related to youth involved with DCYF; and
(vi) Issues related to ensuring the stability of educational placements unless they are not in the best interest of the child; and ensuring that schools and school districts collaborate in sending and obtaining the information and records necessary when a child/youth moves schools.
Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by March 22, 2011. Provides the commission expires on May 31, 2011. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10363.htm
Title: H.R. 8109, S.R. 2872
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Extends the reporting deadline for the Special Joint Commission to Study the Education of Children with Autism, created during the 2009 legislative session, to January 26, 2011. Provides said commission will expire on June 28, 2011. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10368.htm
Title: H.R. 7253
Source: |
Special Populations--Military |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, allowing children of military families to achieve educational success by facilitating smoother transfers between schools due to relocation of active duty soldiers with school-aged children in their household. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10100.htm
Title: H.B. 8010, S.B. 2738
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Purchase and Use of Textbooks in Public Schools. Directs the commission to make a comprehensive study of the use of textbooks in the public schools, and in particular the following:
(1) The use and exploitation of electronic media in the classroom, and specifically to explore the possible advantages and disadvantages of the "paperless classroom", so-called, and the possible cost savings arising therefrom.
(2) The list of textbooks in use in the public schools as published by the commissioner of education, and whether that list should be expanded to cover all subjects and should specify a limited number of options per grade.
(3) The procurement process, and whether the procurement and distribution of textbooks should be a centralized function under the department of education.
Directs the commission to report its findings and recommendations by March 5, 2011. Provides the commission expires on May 5, 2011. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10374.htm
Title: H.R. 8156, S.R. 2822
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates a special senate commission to study the funding of vocational schools in the state. Directs the commission to report its findings and recommendations by March 31, 2011. Provides the commission will expire on June 30, 2015. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10277.htm
Title: S.R. 2884
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates a special senate commission to study and make recommendations on the problem of cyberthreats, cyberbullying, bullying and sexting. Directs the commission to report its findings and recommendations to the senate by March 31, 2011. Provides the commission expires on April 28, 2011. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10274.htm
Title: S.R. 2871
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Adopted 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the implementation of educator evaluation system standards.
Title: Board of Regents Rules
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Allows for the expansion of charter public schools (from limit of 25 to limit of 35); permits the revocation of an existing public school charter if after three (3) years of operation the charter school has not demonstrated success. (After three (3) consecutive years of operation, is not a "high performing charter school," which is defined as a charter school that has demonstrated overall success, including: (i) Substantial progress in improving student achievement; and (ii) The management and leadership necessary to establish a thriving, financially viable charter school.) Public Law. No. 2010-3
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/law10003.htm
Title: H.B. 7208, S.B. 2406
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Urges the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to hold community forums throughout the state to describe the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)'s education funding formula, explaining its components, and providing details about its methods and results. Also requests that the Commissioner prioritize reaching out to those communities that request more information.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law10/res10/res10110.htm
Title: H.R. 7895
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 01/2010 |
P-12 |
Restricts the use of radio frequency identification devices for the purpose of tracking the movement or identity of a student while on school grounds, at school functions or while being transported to and from school grounds or functions; provides that RFID toll payments are not public information. Public Law No. 2009-380 http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h6059a.pdf
Title: H.B. 6059
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--Federal |
Passed 11/2009 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution) Supports the Federal Race to the Top grant program; urges the Governor and the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a competitive application to pursue the four reforms as outlined by the United States Department of Education. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/senatetext09/s1055.pdf
Title: S.B. 1055
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School |
Signed into law 11/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires adoption and implementation of a formula to calculate information about on-time graduation from students in public high schools in the state. (Public Law No. 2009-204) http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law09/law09204.htm
Title: S.B. 728
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 11/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Authorizes the Bachelors Degree in Three program, a new educational initiative designed to expedite the process so that students can earn a bachelor's degree at a state college or university within 3 years; requires the establishment of a credit transfer policy at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island to ensure greater opportunities; requires the identification of potential related costs, including costs to students, and to school districts. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h5286.pdf
Title: H.B. 5286
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Success--Completion--Completion Rates (Statistics) |
Signed into law 11/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Authorizes the Bachelors Degree in Three program, a new educational initiative designed to expedite the process so that students can earn a bachelors degree at a state college or university within three years. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/senatetext09/s1052.pdf
Title: S.B. 1052
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Passed 11/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates a thirteen member special legislative task force whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of summer learning programs and report back to the General Assembly. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h5967aa.htm
Title: H.B. 5967
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 11/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires all public buildings, including schools, to be constructed or renovated, to meet standards established by the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating silver standard. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/senatetext09/s0232aaa.htm
Title: S.B. 232
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Special Education |
Signed into law 11/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Autism Spectrum Disorder Education Act. Requires the state departments of health, education, and human services to implement programs and plans to address the state's declared autism public policy emphasizing awareness, screening, and early intervention; provides for a needs assessment document to be used for sampling in the public schools to differentiate between what student needs are being met and not being met; requires instructional models for embedding in pre-service courses. Public Law No. 2009-201
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h5266a.pdf
Title: H.B. 5266
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Preparation |
Passed 11/2009 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution) Creates a special legislative study commission whose purpose it would be to study the establishment of a blueprint for a new generation of teacher education. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h5896a.pdf
Title: H.B. 5896
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--Federal |
Signed into law 10/2009 |
P-12 |
Approves, pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the issuance of Qualified School Construction Bonds in the form of lease revenue bonds or other evidences of indebtedness by the Providence Public Buildings Authority to provide funding for Warm, Safe and Dry projects in Providence public schools including remediation of fire code violations, and repair, replacement, improvement and installation of roofs, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire alarm systems.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h6328.pdf
Title: H.B. 6328
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows school districts, school departments and school committees to accept grants, gifts and donations from individuals, entities and governmental subdivisions for purposes as specified by the donor and to keep such funds in a restricted receipt account interest bearing account until expended.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law09/law09174.htm
Title: S.B. 944
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to begin planning an initial, demonstration after school and summer learning program that meets high quality standards; includes child care. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law09/law09087.htm
Title: H.B. 5802
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to begin planning an initial, demonstration after school and summer learning program that meets high quality standards. Goal: Meets high quality standards, is age/grade appropriate, runs programming during the hours of 3:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. during the week, promotes the healthy development of youth, connects to the school day, builds on the existing after school and summer learning infrastructure in the state (including child care, 21st century community learning centers program, child opportunity zones, community-based organizations and public schools), incorporates experiential learning, social/emotional development and project-based activities and serves all children and youth from kindergarten to 12th grade with an emphasis on children and youth who attend high poverty, low performing schools. (Public Law No. 2009-93)
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law09/law09093.htm
Title: S.B. 954
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates a special Joint Commission to make a comprehensive study of the education of children with autism and to report back to the General Assembly. (Resolution No. 2009-334)
Title: H.B. 5691
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates a special joint commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the education of children with autism in the state and who would report back to the General Assembly. Resolution No. 2009-336
Title: S.B. 716
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Died 04/2009 |
Postsec. |
Dissolves the Board of Governors for Higher Education effective January 1, 2010; transfers powers and oversight duties to a new entity, the Board of Trustees for Higher Education, with oversight by the General Assembly. Adds new duties to include include: (1)The establishment and leading the search process for new presidential candidates and providing final approval of the hiring of new presidents at any state institution. (2) Approval of the hiring of new provosts and vice presidents at the institutions. (3) Annual performance reviews of the three institution presidents and deciding whether they should be awarded new employment contracts. (4) Hearing complaints against the colleges, university or their presidents. (5) Coordination with the department of elementary and secondary education and the Rhode Island board of regents for elementary and secondary education in system wide K-16 8 issues. (6) Approval of academic programs and prevention of unnecessary program duplication in the public higher education system. (7) Coordinate curricular credit transfer and other inter-institutional agreements. Sets membership. Effective January 1, 2010, this Board is required to employ a commissioner for higher education who shall serve as an ex-officio member of the board of trustees and secretary of the body. The board of trustees may further employ two (2) clerical employees to assist the commissioner in carrying out his or her charge.
Provides that colleges and universities would become more autonomous in regard to their day-to-day operations, collective bargaining and tuition rate determination.
Title: H.B. 5729
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Health--Nutrition |
Adopted 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Contains nutrition requirements for school food service programs so that students may receive balanced, nutritious meals and snacks at school. RHODE ISLAND 3786
Title: Uncodified
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Leadership |
Adopted 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes the standards for educational leadership in Rhode Island to provide an outline of the knowledge, skills and dispositions for educators who assume leadership responsibilities in elementary, middle and secondary schools. http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/dar/regdocs/released/pdf/DESE/5576.pdf
Title: Standards for Educational Leadership
Source: http://www2.sec.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes alternative routes to certification programs. http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/dar/regdocs/released/pdf/DESE/5490.pdf
Title: Alternative Routes
Source: http://www2.sec.state.ri.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to authorize vocational schools to provide apprenticeship classroom training to students subject to the approval of the Rhode Island department of labor and training state apprenticeship council. In the event the board of regents authorizes state-certified apprenticeship training under subsection (a), and a student successfully completes the vocational school program, then the student shall receive apprentice credit, to be applied against a state-certified apprenticeship program requirement set forth by the state apprenticeship council pursuant to section 28-45-13, for one hundred forty-four (144) hours of apprenticeship classroom training.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08291.htm
Title: H.B. 7931
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Allows high school juniors and seniors to be appointed as election officials. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08231.htm
Title: H.B. 7833
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires that the physical education and health curricula in schools be based on standards set by the state Health Education Framework and the state Physical Education Framework commencing September 1, 2012.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext08/housetext08/h7280a.pdf
Title: H.B. 7280
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires that the physical education and health curriculums in schools be based on standards set by the Health Education Framework and the Physical Education Framework.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08463.htm
Title: S.B. 2621
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Provides that in the event of an audit of a school department, the auditor general will select the auditor if the audit is not performed by the office of the auditor general.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext08/housetext08/h7283aaa.pdf
Title: H.B. 7283
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Provides that the accounts of regional education collaboratives be subject to the same system of accounting as other school districts in the state; expands certain financial reporting requirements of these collaboratives. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08192.htm
Title: S.B. 2128
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Prekindergarten Education Act; Requires the state department to begin planning an initial, pilot prekindergarten program that meets high quality standards, builds on the existing early childhood education infrastructure in the state (including child care, Head Start and public schools) and serves children ages three (3) and four (4) who reside in communities with concentrations of low performing schools. Requires planning phase to develop specific goals to expand the pilot prekindergarten program over time and to identify opportunities to strengthen care and learning programs for infants and toddlers. Requires the department to quantify the resources needed to achieve and maintain high quality standards in prekindergarten programs and identify incentives and supports to develop a qualified early education workforce, including opportunities for experienced early childhood educators and
paraprofessionals to acquire college degrees and earn early childhood teacher certification. Requires the department to begin to develop plans to collect and analyze data regarding the impact of the pilot prekindergarten program on participating children's school readiness and school achievement.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08265.htm
Title: H.B. 8168
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Expands the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying within the student discipline codes to include harassment, intimidation or bullying through electronic communications, including any verbal, textual or graphic communication of any kind effected, created or transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text- messaging device and/or personal data assistance device.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext08/housetext08/h7213b.pdf
Title: H.B. 7213
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Allows training programs in school districts or public schools to teach pupils to resolve conflict without violence, training school staff to promote conflict resolution, use mediation techniques and early detection to reduce incidents of violence and lastly to empower students upon graduation to be positive, productive members of society.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08220.htm
Title: H.B. 7569
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Makes it a felony for any registered sex offender to be within five hundred feet of any public or private school; provides penalties.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08189.htm
Title: S.B. 2328
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the State and its municipalities to install automated systems on school buses to detect and monitor school bus traffic violations; takes effect upon passage; relates to video monitoring systems; relates to vendors; provides that reimbursement shall be made from ticket proceeds from paid violations; requires warning signage.; requires inspections and a signed statement from a trained law enforcement officer; provides for evidence and driver or registered owner liability in prosecutions. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08118.htm
Title: S.B. 2909
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Excerpt: (b) Notwithstanding any other federal or state law or regulation, the school committee where a parentally placed child who has or develops a disability in private school resides, shall provide the child with the same free and appropriate education as it provides to children in public schools. These children shall have the same rights and remedies in the regulations of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education governing the education of children with disabilities as children in public school relative to initially determining eligibility, implementation and/or any other rights and remedies relative to any special education services the child may be eligible or receive from the public school district.
(c) For the purpose of this statute, a parentally placed child who has or develops a disability in private school is defined as a child enrolled or placed in a private school by the
unilateral decision of his or her parents and without consolation of the public school district, who either has, or at some point while at the private school is diagnosed with a learning disability. Parents who unilaterally enroll their child in a private school are required to pay the tuition costs related to the child's education that are unrelated to the child's disability, and the public school district where the child resides is responsible for payment of the services related to the child's disability as developed and determined in the child's individual education plan.Clarifies the responsibilities of a municipality in regard to the education of children with special needs, along with responsibilities regarding the provision of a free and appropriate public education to those special needs students whose parents place them in a private school; relates to tuition costs; includes preschool.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08141.htm
Title: H.B. 7715
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Adds a provision to textbook statutes stipulating that non-public schools may not change a textbook assignment in a field more often than once in a three (3) year period as required of
public schools in accordance with the provisions of section 16-23-1. Does not forbid non-public schools from requiring the use of any textbook, provided that the textbook is furnished to the student through a means other than the school committee of the student's city or town of residence. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08323.htm
Title: S.B. 2395
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution) Requests the Department of Education to create a task force on youth financial literacy in order to develop a statewide strategy, action plan, and marketing plan for increasing middle and high school students' knowledge of personal financial literacy.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/hofrep.html
Title: H.B. 8332
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs public schools to develop a policy to provide a safe environment for students with peanut, tree nut, or other food allergies; provides for an individual health care plan and an emergency health care plan to be signed by nurses, parents and health care providers; provides for posting of signs, prohibition of certain food items, designation of certain lunch tables, prohibition of certain food in classrooms and complete prohibition of particular food items from schools and school grounds.
Title: H.B. 7463
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires boards to require schools to post a notice in a conspicuous place advising if there is a student in the school that has an allergy to peanuts and prohibit the sale of peanuts and peanut based products in the cafeteria if it is known that an enrolled student has a peanut allergy; provides for an individual health care plan and an emergency health care plan to be signed by the school nurse, parents or guardians and the health care provider; regulates food items in the school, in classrooms and on school grounds.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08090.htm
Title: S.B. 2130
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Establishes the Community College of Rhode Island Twenty-first Century Work Force Commission. Sets the commission's mission as: The proposal of specific actions to strengthen the community college of Rhode Island's position as a key institution in Rhode Island's effort to create a twenty-first century work force prepared for the high wage job opportunities required for a knowledge-based economy. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08084.htm
Title: H.B. 7889
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Expands the definition of student discipline codes relating to harassment or bullying to include electronic communications. Defines as "Electronic" communications to include any verbal, textual or graphic communication of any kind effected, created or transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text-messaging device and/or personal data assistance device. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08102.htm
Title: S.B. 2012
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Authorizes municipalities and school districts to create post-employment benefit trusts and to invest the assets therein in accordance with the requirements of government accounting standards; provides for health care and dental care benefits; provides for a trust agreement between a municipality and a bank or trust company doing business in the state.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law08/law08092.htm
Title: S.B. 3141
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates the Rhode Island High School Dropout Prevention Act of 2007; provides that it shall be the responsibility of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work in collaboration with school districts and the Department of Higher Education to implement strategies to lower the dropout rate and to incorporate into its support and intervention, specific dropout prevention strategies, target resources, and gather data that will include graduation rates and educational outcomes in all schools.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext07/housetext07/h5351aaa.htm
Title: H.B. 5351
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Passed 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates a special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to study the status and future of youth personal financial education in the state's middle and high schools.
Title: H.B. 6235
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes a research foundation, as a nonprofit corporation, at the University of Rhode Island to administer the development of scientific research, technology, the commercialization of intellectual property and such other work as necessary to develop, promote and enhance scientific research and technology at the University of Rhode Island and within the state of Rhode Island.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07232.htm
Title: H.B. 5455
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds labor and labor relations, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and employee contract analysis to the professional development program for Rhode Island school committees. offered by Rhode Island College and the Rhode Island Association of School Committees.
Title: H.B. 5286
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Protects children from exposure to lawn care pesticides by prohibiting the application of such at schools and day care centers; requires a committee be formed to assist with the reports required; the department of health and the department of elementary and secondary education are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with the department of environmental management in the preparation of the report.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07421.htm
Title: S.B. 560
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes a pilot program to develop curriculum in communities of several cities and towns to encourage physical exercise and promote healthy weight levels in children incorporating a combination of exercise and nutrition plans that may include, but shall not be limited to, physical exercise, including walking and jogging, as well as information on healthy food choices.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07224.htm
Title: H.B. 5900
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires schools to post a notice in a conspicuous place advising if there is a student in the school that has an allergy to peanuts; prohibits the sale of peanuts and peanut based products in the cafeteria if it is known that an enrolled student has a peanut allergy.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07304.htm
Title: H.B. 5671
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
Postsec. |
Prohibits the purchase and sale of academic degrees wherein the degree is obtained on the basis of a combination of a payment of a fee and the attainment of academic credit for so-called life experiences, without the applicant undertaking any coursework.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07405.htm
Title: S.B. 392
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that the discipline for any public school student who is in possession or use of alcohol, drugs or weapons, would be imposed on a case-by-case basis pursuant to guidelines promulgated by the school committee for that district; specifies that the guidelines and any discipline imposed shall take into account the nature and circumstances of the violation and the applicability of any federal laws governing students with disabilities.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07339.htm
Title: H.B. 5352
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires 2 evacuation drills and 2 lockdown drills to be included among the 15 mandatory drills which schools must conduct each year.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07234.htm
Title: S.B. 1053
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to implement dating violence procedures; requires school districts to incorporate an age-appropriate dating violence education program for grades 7 through 12 into the district's health education curriculum.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07287.htm
Title: H.B. 6166
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Passed 07/2007 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution)Would create an eleven (11) member special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the consolidation of Rhode Island's school districts, and who would report back to the General Assembly no later than May 1, 2008 and whose life would expire on February 1, 2009.
Title: H.B. 5766
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Allows the use of school pupil transport vehicles for the transport of eight (8) or fewer pupils to and from school and school related services; this act would take effect on August 15, 2007.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07207.htm
Title: S.B. 556
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Permits any career/technical charter public schools which enroll special education students from outside the school district with verifiable Individual Education Plans to receive from the sending district the average per pupil special education cost of the sending district.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07382.htm
Title: H.B. 6128
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
State Policymaking |
Passed 07/2007 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution)Would create an eleven (11) member special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the impact of mandates on Rhode Island's school districts, and who would report back to the general assembly no later than January 8, 2008 and whose life would expire on March 8, 2008.
Title: S.B. 361
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires all senior high schools that sell or distribute beverages and snacks on their premises, including those sold through vending machines, to offer healthier beverages and snacks effective 1/1/08; takes effect upon passage.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07080.htm
Title: H.B. 5050
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
P-3 Child Care |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Implements a voluntary quality rating system to increase the quality of early care and education of school-age child care.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07141.htm
Title: H.B. 5862
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates a sixteen member special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to study transportation for afterschool and childcare programs.
Title: H.B. 6313
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires that school bus emergency brakes, commencing with model year 2010, be equipped with an interlock brake system that, once applied, may only be released when the brake pedal is depressed and the key is in the ignition.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law07/law07168.htm
Title: H.B. 5020
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Issued 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Expands the PK-16 Council by one member: a representative of independent higher education in Rhode Island. http://www.governor.state.ri.us/documents/executiveorders/2007/04_expansion_statewide_pk-16_council.pdf
Title: Executive Order 07/04
Source: http://www.governor.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Online Instruction |
Adopted 04/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
(Resolution) Respectfully requesting the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing an accredited distance learning program.
Title: H.B. 6239
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Finance |
Signed into law 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, working with the Department of Administration, to establish a statewide purchasing system for products and services pertaining to public schools, which would include telecommunications, wireless services, general insurance products and services, and school transportation for children with special needs. Public Law No. 298
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText06/HouseText06/H6853.pdf
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText06/HouseText06/H6853A.pdf
Title: H.B. 6853; S.B. 2531
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Creates a fifteen member special legislative commission whose purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study of the impact a viral pandemic would have on the delivery of education to students enrolled in K-12 public and private schools, and who would report back to the General Assembly no later than January 31, 2007 and whose life would expire on March 31, 2007.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText06/SenateText06/S2300.pdf
Title: S.B. 2300
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires that the state department of administration and the Rhode Island public transit authority develop a plan for the creation and implementation of a statewide system of transportation of students with special needs and for all students including those without special needs to and from school.
Title: H.B. 7841; S.B. 2489
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to plan, develop, create and implement a statewide system of transportation of students with special needs.
http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/WebClass1.ASP?WCI=Bills&WCE=BillEvent&WCU=S2489A
Title: S.B. 2489
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires that in the creation of charter schools, the application submitted to the Commissioner of Education and the local school committee pursuant to the creation of such a school would include a description of a plan that would include measurable student academic goals.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText06/HouseText06/H6854.pdf
Title: H.B. 6854; S.B. 2085
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires that in the creation of charter schools, the application submitted to the commissioner and the local school committee pursuant to the creation of such a school would include a description of a plan that would include measurable student academic goals. Public Law No. 2006-102
Title: S.B. 2085
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Places guidelines on the sale of sweetened beverages in schools; promotes nutritional and healthy choices including water, milk, soy beverages, fruit juices, vegetable-based drinks, yoghurt and low-fat cheese, grain products and snack food; provides for lower fat and sugar content. Public Law No. 2006-231
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText06/HouseText06/H6968aa.pdf
Title: H.B. 6968; S.B. 2696
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec. |
Amends sections of the General Laws entitled Board of Governors for Higher Education; removes legislators and legislative appointees from boards relating to education; adds reporting requirements and other duties for these boards.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText06/HouseText06/H6749aa.pdf
Title: H.B. 6749
Source: Rhode Island Legislature |
P-16 or P-20 |
Issued 12/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes the Statewide PK-16 Council, to be chaired by the governor. Details membership and purpose of council.
http://www.governor.state.ri.us/executiveorders/2005/08_PK16.pdf
Title: Executive Order 05-08
Source: http://www.governor.state.ri.us |
Leadership |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Adopts rules regarding the requirements for the secondary principal's certificate. Outlines rules for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) be valid for three years and Professional Certificate be valid for five years. RHODE ISLAND REG 2441 (SN)
Title: Sections I and II
Source: StateNet |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Adopts rules regarding the requirements for an Early Childhood Education in public schools in grades PK-2 certificate. Outlines rules for Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) be valid for three years and Professional Certificates be valid for one or five years. RHODE ISLAND REG 2460 (SN)
Title: Section I
Source: StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules to provide for improving reading levels for students. Revises graduation requirements. Implements personalized learning environments. RHODE ISLAND REG 2450 (SN)
Title: Uncodified Rules
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing the length of the school day. Outlines requirements, and compliance for the length of elementary and secondary school day. RHODE ISLAND REG 2451 (SN)
Title: Sections 1 to 7
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the requirements for Middle School Endorsement. Outlines completion of an approved college program of preparation of middle level educators. RHODE ISLAND REG 2448 (SN)
Title: Uncodified
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Adopted 09/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the Individual Professional Development Plan (I-Plan) process for renewal of professional educator certificates. RHODE ISLAND REG 2444 (SN)
Title: Sections 1.0 through 9.0
Source: StateNet |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 07/2005 |
P-12 |
The general assembly recognizes the importance of a citizenry well educated in the principles of democracy as enunciated in the constitutions of the state of Rhode Island and the United States. The general assembly directs the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to develop and adopt a set of grade level standards K-12 in civics education no later than August 31, 2007. These standards are to include, but not be limited to, the history of the state of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, and the principals of democracy. These civic education standards are to be used in the public schools beginning in kindergarten and continuing through to and including grade 12.
Title: H.B. 5748
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2005 |
P-12 |
Extends the implementation dates for several provisions of the Mercury Reduction and Education Act. In addition, it would clarify the definitions of certain products regulated by the act.
Title: H.B. 6598
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Health |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 07/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Prohibits a high school or public or private university or college from accepting any sponsorship or other payment from a performance-enhancing dietary supplement manufacturer to promote such manufacturer's performance-enhancing dietary supplement. Requires development of a list of such products and requires training of coaches.Prohibits the sale of certain performance enhancing supplements to minors.
Title: H.B. 6277
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Effective without governor's signature 07/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Declares that it is the policy of the state to encourage private fundraising for endowed academic chairs and scholarship funds by the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island and to assist such fundraising through a matching program to be known as the public higher education academic excellence and student access endowment incentive program. Cannot result in direct or indirect reductions in the state's appropriation to the board of governors for higher education.
Title: H.B. 5128
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Directs the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to develop and adopt a set of grade level standards K-12 in civics education no later than August 31, 2007. These standards are to include, but not be limited to, the history of the state of Rhode Island, representative government, the rights and duties of actively engaged citizenship, and the principals of democracy. These civic education standards are to be used in the public schools beginning in kindergarten and continuing through and including grade 12. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText05/SenateText05/S0864A.pdf
Title: S.B. 864
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Gives school committees (boards) the authority to address the health and wellness of students and employees and to establish a subcommittee to decrease obesity and address school health and wellness policies for students and employees. Requires strategic plans to include strategies to decrease obesity and to improve health and wellness of students through nutrition, physical activity, and education. These strategies must be submitted to the state department by May 1 of each year. Subcommittees are responsible for the development of policies, strategies, and implementation plans that meet the requirements of the child nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. These strategies are to be forwarded for approval to the full school committee. Requries the state department to provide technical assistance and support to the school health and wellness subcommittees on best practices, professional development on coordinated school health
issues, suggested initiatives, and will support communication among the school health and wellness subcommittees by sharing information on the activities, efforts, and experiences of subcommittees across the state. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText05/HouseText05/H5563A.pdf
Title: H.B. 5563, S.B. 565
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Vetoed 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
Would have reduced the membership of the board of governors for higher education from 15 to 13, including the chairperson of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education (or designee) a member. Would have made members of the board removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions of section 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful. Would have required an annual report containing an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the authority of the board; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. Required a training course to be conducted for newly appointed and qualified members. Would have reduced the membership of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education from 11 to 9 and made removal of members for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office would have been made unlawful.. Required training and reporting similar to what was required for the board of governors for higher education. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText05/HouseText05/H6206A.pdf
Title: H.B. 6206
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires district strategic plans to extend the range at which the improvement of reading is addressed to include students in grade four (4) and grade five (5).
Title: H.B. 7986
Source: Rhode Island Legislative Web Site |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Each school district is required to adopt a plan to create alternative education programs to educate students who are removed from the classroom because of a suspension of more than ten (10) days or who are chronically truant. The plan must be adopted by the school committee and shall be submitted to the Commissioner for approval no later than January 1, 2005.
Title: H.B. 7722
Source: rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Civic Education |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds seven (7) new members to the civic education commission (from 17 to 24).
Title: H.B. 7990
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Curriculum |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12,
Community College |
Places driver education course requirements under the Board of Governors for Higher Education instead of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. which substantially conform with the current curriculum utilized by the instructor(s) at the Community College of Rhode Island, including a minimum of three (3) hours of instruction focusing upon specific Rhode Island traffic laws, the specific requirements of the Rhode Island graduated licensing statute in section 31-10-6 and eight (8) hours specifically for instruction on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver. All driver's education programs shall include information concerning the Anatomical Gift Act chapter 18.6 of title 23, and information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6 of title 23. The program does not offer outside the classroom road test instruction or driving lessons to Rhode Island students.
Title: H.B. 8665
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires (a) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education to adopt a statewide curriculum in mathematics and English-language arts for students in grades 3-10 by May 1, 2005. (b) The curriculum adopted by the board of regents must:
(1) be aligned with state standards and assessments utilized by the state department of education; (2) contain sufficient detail to guide teachers in planning lessons aligned with state standards and assessments; and (3) be offered on a voluntary basis to school districts; provided, however, school districts shall not be required to utilize or implement such curriculum.
Title: H.B. 7714
Source: rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/ |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the Board of Regents for elementary and secondary education to select and/or develop a statewide curriculum in mathematics and English/Language arts in grades kindergarten (k) through twelve by August 31, 2006. The curriculum selected and/or developed by the board of regents must (1) be aligned with state standards and assessments utilized by the state department of education; and (2) contain sufficient detail to guide teachers in planning lessons aligned with state standards and assessments. The state commissioner is to convene an advisory committee in each area (math and English/language arts).
Title: S.B. 2672
Source: Rhode Island Legislative Web Site |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
Postsec. |
Addresses the shortage of nurses in health care facilities by establishing a nursing education repayment program to provide loan repayment for nurses who agree to serve in health care facilities for designated periods of time; takes effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7680
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the "Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, " and would create a joint legislative committee of ten members to establish a permanent education foundation and education formula for the state - the committee's final report is due October 1, 2005..
Title: S.B. 3182
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Allows Rhode Island school committees (school boards) to enter into agreement with any school committee or group of school committees (e.g., Rhode Island Association of School Committees) to purchase goods and services on a cooperative basis.
Title: S.B. 2423
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Finance--Equity |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds a new chapter: the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act; creates a joint legislative committee to establish a permanent education foundation and education formula for the state.
Title: H.B. 8318
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Governance--School Boards |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides that Rhode Island College (instead of the state department of education) in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees would develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island School committees.
Title: H.B. 7989
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Health |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Changes a reference for cognitive testing to an assessment in the area of health and fitness education; deletes the requirement that the commissioner make an annual report to the governor and the general assembly on the administration of the health education and alcohol and substance abuse programs for elementary and secondary students; takes effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7900
Source: rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Middle School |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Would require school committees in every city and town to initiate policies to improve the educational performance of its middle schools.
Title: H.B. 7154
Source: Rhode Island Legislative Web Site |
No Child Left Behind--School Support |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires strategic plans to include scientific based mathematics, reading and writing instruction that is aligned with the board of regents reading policy.
Title: H.B. 7298
Source: Rhode Island Legisative Web Site |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Raises the amount of part-time gross pay retired professors and teachers may earn from employment by a state college of the department of education from $12,000 to $18,000.
Title: H.B. 7948
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Participation--Access |
Passed 07/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Bill as written would have prohibited the Board of Governors for Higher Education from denying admission to any state secondary institution of higher learning based solely upon the applicant's undocumented immigration status or failure to provide proof of the issuance of a valid Social Security number; prohibits the public institution of higher learning from considering the immigration and naturalization status of the parents of the applicant to the institution. Was amended to resolution status recommending that the Board of Governors for Higher Education review its admission and residency policies with regard to international students.
Title: H.B. 7936
Source: StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires that activities under this act include strategies to improve the performance of students in mathematics, reading and writing. Such activities must be founded on a scientific research base, as described in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Reading instruction to improve the reading skills of all students in the early grades (specifically kindergarten (K) through to and including grade five (5) are to be consistent with the board of regents reading policy.
Title: H.B. 8180
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Passed 07/2004 |
P-12 |
(Joint Resolution) Creates a twenty-four (24) member special joint commission, whose purpose it would be to develop a comprehensive statewide plan that would effectively coordinate information, initiatives, and to identify resources, training and educational needs, as they pertain to school environmental health and safety issues, and who would report back to the general assembly no later than January 25, 2005.
Title: H.B. 8109
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Would set eligibility requirements for school attendance to obtain a driver's license for minor students. This act would take effect on January 15, 2005.
Title: H.B. 7397
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
To governor 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides that if a minor accumulates fifteen (15) unexcused absences within ninety (90) calendar days, they are ineligible for driving privileges and would provide for enforcement, notification, compliance, reinstatement and jurisdiction of this provision. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: S.B. 2594
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/genmenu.html |
Governance--School Boards |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides that Rhode Island College (instead of the state department of education) in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees would develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island School committees.
Title: S.B. 2597
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
To governor 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
No college, university, or other institution of higher education can be incorporated or established or be permitted to transact business within the state unless and until: (1) it is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC); and (2) suitable provision, approved by the board of governors for higher education (rather than the board of regents for elementary and secondary education), must be made that the institution is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with the regulations and standards for approval adopted by the appropriate one of those boards.
Title: S.B. 2764
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Reading/Literacy |
To governor 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the requirements of the Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative. Specifically, the grades which the strategic plan to improve reading instruction must cover would be extended to include students in grade four (4) and grade five (5).
Title: S.B. 2590
Source: Rhode Island Legislative Web Site |
Reading/Literacy |
To governor 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Activities under this act must include strategies to improve the performance of students in mathematics, reading and writing. Such activities must be founded on a scientific research base, as described in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Reading instruction to improve the reading skills of all students in the early grades (specifically kindergarten (K) through to and including grade five must be consistent with the board of regents reading policy.
Title: S.B. 2623
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
School Safety |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Would require that school safety plans include policies and procedures for: (1) providing notice of threats of violence or harm to the subject of the threat; (2) disclosing certain information regarding a student's conduct; and (3) determining whether a given threat or conduct may be grounds for the suspension or expulsion of a student. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7305, S.B. 2498
Source: StateNet |
Students--Records/Rights |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides that the educational bill of rights would comply with the federal Buckley Act when releasing documents; provides for the right to keep educational records confidential and not released except under certain circumstances.
Title: H.B. 7476
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 03/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules to provide that every youth in the system with a disability is entitled to free appropriate public education. RHODE ISLAND REG 2133 (SN)
Title: (Uncodified)
Source: StateNet |
Technology--Funding Issues |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes a program and funding mechanism for qualified libraries and schools (K to 12) to assist in paying the cost of acquiring, installing and using telecommunications technologies to access the internet. RHODE ISLAND REG 1990 (SN)
Title: (Uncodified)
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Became law without governor's signature 09/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to private schools; requires all institutions of higher learning which are established, incorporated or doing business in this state, to first obtain accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: S.B. 867
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 08/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires any collaborative established under this chapter to track expenditures and investments and file a report each year with the board of regents.
Title: H.B. 5458
Source: StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Allocates moneys from the student equity investment fund based on each district's proportion of resident children eligible for USDA reimbursable school meals relative to the total number of eligible students statewide.
Title: H.B. 6055
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
P-12 |
This act would provide that a child, who has or will have completed six (6) years of life on or before September 1, rather than December 1, of any school year, shall be eligible to attend first grade. This act would take effect on January 1, 2006.
Title: S.B. 593
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides that a child, who has or will have completed six (6) years of life by September 1, rather than December 1, of any school year, and has not completed sixteen (16) years of life, must regularly attend school.
Title: S.B. 594
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2003 |
P-12,
Community College |
Transfers the administration of the driver education program from the department of elementary and secondary education to the Community College of Rhode Island.
Title: H.B. 5598
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds to the list of professional development issues for school committees: student achievement, strategic planning, educational standards, student assessment, school accountability, data interpretation and analysis, collaboration building, advocacy. Requires the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall approve the professional development program and create a process for recognizing school committee members that successfully complete the program in part or in whole.
Title: H.B. 5350
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
Postsec. |
This act would provide that researchers at institutions of higher education may form relationships with or hold interests in commercial ventures stemming from their research. The act would provide procedures for approval of such relationships and for the development of conflict of interest regulations and guidelines governing such relationships. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law03/law03158.htm
Title: H.B. 6154, S.B. 864
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2003 |
P-12 |
This act would require schools to adopt policies that prohibit harassment, intimidation and bullying by students at school. Defines harassment, intimidation and bullying. Requires districts to (a) Provide training on the school district's or public school academy's harassment, intimidation or bullying policies to school employees and volunteers who have significant contact with pupils; (b) Develop a process for discussing the harassment, intimidation or bullying policy with pupils. Requires districts or public school academies to incorporate information regarding the school district's or public or private school academy's policy against harassment, intimidation or bullying into each school's employee training program. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Billtext/BillText03/HouseText03/H5919aa.pdf
Title: H.B. 5919, S.B. 272
Source: StateNet |
Special Education |
To governor 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a special House commission to promote and develop a comprehensive system of education for visually impaired children.
Title: H.B. 5056
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides that (a) No person who obtained an initial certificate prior to January 8, 2002 shall be barred from certification under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teacher's examination; provided, however, that he or she successfully completes an assessment, based on criteria established by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. (b) Allows the board of regents for elementary and secondary education to administer a written examination to prospective teachers seeking certification. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law03/law03165.htm
Title: S.B. 595
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends the requirements for being a teacher's assistant. If hired after January 8, 2002 and providing an instructional service, staff must have completed at least two (2) years of study at an institution of higher education, obtained an associate's (or higher) degree; or otherwise met a rigorous standard of quality and can demonstrate through a formal state or local academic assessment an appropriate level of: (i) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; or (ii) knowledge of, and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate. Assessments developed at the local level may consist of performance assessments documenting teacher assistant skills. If hired on or before January 8, 2002, and providing instructional service, assistants must meet the requirements set forth in subsection (4) herein not later than January 8, 2006. The Employer shall
pay for up to two (2) test administration fees for all teacher assistants hired prior to July 1, 2003. Does not include noninstructional assistants. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/PublicLaws/law03/law03136.htm
Title: H.B. 5825, S.B. 415
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 07/2003 |
P-12 |
This act would allow retired teachers to fill the vacant position of a mentor principal or assistant mentor principal for a period of up to ninety (90) days in any one school year, without a reduction in retirement pay and/or benefits. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 5642
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Requires children between 16 and 18 years of age to obtain permission from a custodial parent or guardian in order to be exempt from mandatory school attendance.
Title: S.B. 2108
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act would permit an applicant for employment with a private school or public school department to apply for a national and state criminal records check with the state police or their local police department. Such applicants are now required to apply to the bureau of criminal identification or the department of attorney general. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: S.B. 2468
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Requires applicants for employment with a school to apply to local state police and state police departments as well as the Bureau of Criminal Investigations of the Attorney General. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7143
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum--Drivers Education |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Sets forth the curriculum requirements a driver education course must meet in order for the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education to determine whether or not that course is equivalent, or similar to that required in the General Laws.
Title: S.B. 2172
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Adds evidence of immunization to the Intra-state education Identification card for each child. This act takes effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7176
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act would establish the conditions under which pesticide applications would occur at schools, pre- schools and child care centers and would provide for prior notice of pesticide applications to parents and guardians of children and to school staff. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: S.B. 2465
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act amends the date of a child attending kindergarten at the age of five (5) years by reducing the eligibility date from December 31 to July 1 of any school year. Takes effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7342
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
This act would provide that each member of the Rhode Island National Guard be eligible to enroll in three (3) courses a semester at any state college or university and that tuition by their courses would be waived. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 6823
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
To governor 06/2002 |
Postsec. |
This act requires the registration of convicted sex offenders who are enrolled at or employed by any institution of higher education. Takes effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 7924
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Provides that all use of cellular phones by a school bus driver would be prohibited, except in the case of an emergency.
Title: H.B. 6924
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act would impose penalties against school bus drivers that use cell phones, other than for emergency purposes, while transporting children.
Title: S.B. 2164
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act would require that 25% of the funds appropriated for professional development would be set aside for district-wide professional development. This act would take effect upon passage.
Title: S.B. 2624
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
To governor 06/2002 |
P-12 |
This act would eliminate the term "substitute" from the definition of the word "teacher" for purposes of this chapter. This act would take effect upon passage. Additionally, this act would allow retired athletic coaches to be employed after retirement in the same manner as retired teachers.
Title: S.B. 2766
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
P-12 |
States any person seeking employment with a private school who has not previously been employed by a private school or public school department in Rhode Island in the last 12 months shall undergo a national and state criminal background check; exempts those hired before a set date and/or have been continuously employed by a public school department in Rhode Island during the last 12 months; states the Attorney General shall destroy an applicant's fingerprints upon completion.
Title: H.B. 5288
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Civic Education |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates a permanant legislative commission for the purpose of developing and coordinating public outreach programs for the legislature that educate the public about representative democracy with emphasis on explaining the legitamate, diverse competing ideas and interests in society and the importance of compromise in the resolution of said differences; states the Commission shall promote communication and collaboration among organizations that conduct civic education programs.
Title: H.B. 5899
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Defines school-based health centers as those located in elementary or secondary schools that deliver primary and preventive health care services to students on site; includes school-based health centers in the definition of health care facility with respect to the licensing requirements.
Title: H.B. 5976
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
Postsec. |
This act would make various amendments in the provisions of the general laws relating to tuition savings and prepaid tuition programs, including, in particular, the addition of tax incentives for programs participation. This act would take effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001.
Title: H.B. 6339
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires each city, town and regional school committee to appoint school safety teams to develop school safety plans and school emergency response plans in order to effectively prepare for acts of violence by students, teachers, other school personnel and visitors and other emergencies which may potentially arise in school settings; provides for collaborative arrangements with State and local law enforcement officials in regards to school violence.
Title: H.B. 5924
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires teacher assistant substitutes who work more than 20 days during any school year to meet the requirements of permanent teacher assistants.
Title: S.B. 662
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Defines an additional goal of the Children's Cabinet to develop a strategic plan to design and implement a single, secure, universal student identifier system that does not involve using a students Social Security number that will foster interagency communication, increase efficiency of service delivery and simultaneously protect children's legitimate expectations of privacy and rights to confidentiality.
Title: H.B. 5912
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Students--Records/Rights |
To governor 07/2001 |
P-12 |
This act would prohibit, commencing on July 1, 2005, public educational institutions from assigning a student an identification number which incorporates the students social security number and prohibits the display of four (4) or more consecutive numbers of a social security number on any publicly accessible document. The act authorizes civil and criminal penalties for violations. Except as otherwise provided herein, this act would take effect upon passage.
Title: H.B. 5378, S.B. 124
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Establishes a policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certifications for public school teachers and administrators; provides for its composition, meetings, staff support and powers and duties.
Title: S.B. 331
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows retired teachers to substitute as teachers in State and public schools for not more than 90 days in any one school year without a reduction of retirement benefits.
Title: H.B. 5209, S.B. 207
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Leadership |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
(Joint Resolution) Extends the reporting date of the special legislative commission to study the feasibility of allowing unionized classified employees at all higher education institutions to be able to negotiate directly with Rhode Island Board of Governors from January 27, 2001 to January 29, 2002 and said commission shall expire on March 29, 2002.
Title: H.B. 5188
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires the state department to develop model programs that encourage "emotional and social competency and learning." The new law states that emotional competency includes self-awareness, emotional self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. It promotes good mental health and is an effective prevention intervention in such problem areas as: aggressive, violent and delinquent behaviors; school truancy and drop out; depression and suicidal thought; and substance abuse. Requires model programs to be evidence-based and include an evaluation component.
Title: S.B. 2572
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText00/SenateText00/S2572.htm |
Curriculum |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop curricular material on genocide and human rights violations and issues including slave trade, great hunger in Ireland, the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust and Mussolini's Fascist Regime.
Title: H.B. 7397
Source: www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText00/HouseText00/H7397.htm |
Finance |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Relates to municipal public building authorities; provides that in calculating the limitations of revenue bonds, there shall not be included in the calculation 50% of the outstanding principal amount of any bond issued for projects for which the authority or municipality recieves school housing aid.
Title: S.B. 3067
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--Site-Based Management |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Establishes school improvement teams for each school in preparation and evaluation of the school improvement plan.
Title: H.B. 7415
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires that all school children, prior to the first grade, shall be given an eye examination by a physician or an optometrist.
Title: H.B. 6711
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Became law without governor's signature 07/2000 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
(Joint Resolution); Extends the reporting date of the special legislative commission to study the feasibility of allowing unionized classified employees at all higher education institutions to be able to negotiate directly with Rhode Island Board of Governors.
Title: H.B. 6968
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Raises the amount of part time gross pay retired professors and teachers may earn from employment by a state college or the Department of Education.
Title: S.B. 2376
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Students--Disabled |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
Postsec. |
Amends the composition of the Transition Council by adding a representative from one of the regional education collaboratives.Transition from school to self-sufficient adulthood for students with disabilities
Title: H.B. 7466
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Privatization |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Allows municipal committees to promulgate rules and regulations permitting fundraising activities by public schools; enhances prohibition against school employees accepting money for tutoring students under their instruction during the school year; prohibits the selling of commercial goods or services to students in public schools or on public school property.
Title: H.B. 6927, S.B. 2139
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Privatization |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Relates to curriculum; permits the display of televised commercial advertising necessarily incidental to Internet access.
Title: H.B. 6893
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Relates to An act pertaining to education; relates to the State-Wide Reading Success Institute for training teachers.
Title: H.B. 7735
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Relates to the Rhode Island Student Investment Initiative; imposes additional requirements upon school districts to include standards utilized by school administrators and staff aimed at maintaining an orderly educational environment in district strategic plans.
Title: H.B. 7612
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires all public schools to make a breakfast program available to students attending the school.
Title: S.B. 2387
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires all school buses to be equipped with a rear facing flashing strobe light; provides for the conditions under which such lights should be used.
Title: H.B. 7163
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Gives peace officers the authority to issue summons based on the statements of school bus drivers and bus monitors as to violations of the requirement to stop for school buses.
Title: H.B. 7380
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to education; pertains to children with disabilities; amends the composition of the Transition Council by adding a representative from one of the regional education collaboratives.
Title: S.B. 2389
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Extends the period of time that a retired teacher may act as a substitute teacher to 90 days in a school year.
Title: H.B. 7246, S.B. 2590
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Provides that the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education shall publish annually a list of textbooks in use in the public schools in the State.
Title: H.B. 7220
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 07/2000 |
P-12 |
Expands the list of textbooks to be loaned to students in grades K-8; creates a Textbook Reimbursement Fund; creates a Joint Commission to study the State Textbook Loan Program.
Title: S.B. 2726
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Prohibits and would make it a misdemeanor for any person who enters a school bus with the intent to commit a crime, interfere with the driver or refuse to disembark at the request of the driver.
Title: H.B. 6858
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |