R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-9
§ 16-2-9. General powers and duties of school committees.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless the responsibility is otherwise delegated by this chapter, the entire care, control, and management of all public school interests of the several cities and towns shall be vested in the school committees of the several cities and towns. School committees shall have, in addition to those enumerated in this title, the following powers and duties:

(1) To identify educational needs in the community.

(2) To develop education policies to meet the needs of the community.

(3) To provide for and ensure the implementation of federal and state laws, the regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education, and local school policies, programs, and directives.

(4) To provide for the evaluation of the performance of the school system.

(5) To have responsibility for the care and control of local schools.

(6) To have overall policy responsibility for the employment and discipline of school department personnel.

(7) To approve a master plan defining goals and objectives of the school system. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of what men and women should know and be able to do as a result of their educational experience. The committee shall periodically evaluate the efforts and results of education in light of these objectives.

(8) To provide for the location, care, control, and management of school facilities and equipment.

(9) To adopt a school budget to submit to the local appropriating authority.

(10) To adopt any changes in the school budget during the course of the school year.

(11) To approve expenditures in the absence of a budget, consistent with state law.

(12) To employ a superintendent of schools and assign any compensation and other terms and conditions as the school committee and superintendent shall agree, provided that in no event shall the term of employment of the superintendent exceed three (3) years. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as invalidating or impairing a contract of a school committee with a school superintendent in force on May 12, 1978.

(13) [Deleted by P.L. 2019, ch. 224, § 2 and P.L. 2019, ch. 259, § 2.]

(14) To establish minimum standards for personnel, to adopt personnel policies, and to approve a table of organization.

(15) To establish standards for the evaluation of personnel.

(16) To establish standards for conduct in the schools and for disciplinary actions.

(17) To hear appeals from disciplinary actions.

(18) To enter into contracts; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of the general or public laws, whether of specific or general application, and notwithstanding the provisions of any charter of any municipality where the school committee is appointed and not elected, but not including, the Central Falls school district board of trustees established by § 16-2-34, the power and duty to enter into collective bargaining agreements shall be vested in the chief executive officer of the municipality and not in the school committee.

(19) To publish policy manuals that shall include all school committee policies.

(20) To establish policies governing curriculum, courses of instruction, and text books.

(21) To provide for transportation services that meet or exceed standards of the council on elementary and secondary education.

(22) To make any reports to the department of education as are required by the council on elementary and secondary education.

(23) To delegate, consistent with law, any responsibilities to the superintendent as the committee may deem appropriate.

(24) To address the health and wellness of students and employees.

(25) To establish a subcommittee of the school board or committee to decrease obesity and address school health and wellness policies for students and employees consistent with § 16-21-28.

(26) To annually undertake a minimum of six (6) hours of professional development as set forth and described in § 16-2-5.1.

(27) To establish policies governing the implementation of the incorporation of career and technical education programs into the kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) curricula that include knowledge of careers and all types of employment opportunities, including, but not limited to, registered apprenticeships in accordance with chapter 45 of title 28, and emphasizing the advantages of completing school with marketable skills.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or interfere with the rights of teachers and other school employees to collectively bargain pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28 or to allow any school committee to abrogate any agreement reached by collective bargaining.

(c) 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, shall have the power to bind their successors and successor committees by entering into contracts of employment in the exercise of their governmental functions.

(d) Notwithstanding any provisions of the general laws to the contrary, the requirement defined in subsections (d) through (f) of this section shall apply. The school committee of each school district shall be responsible for maintaining a school budget that does not result in a debt.

(e) The school committee shall, within thirty (30) days after the close of the first and second quarters of the states fiscal year, adopt a budget as may be necessary to enable it to operate without incurring a debt, as described in subsection (d).

(f) In the event that any obligation, encumbrance, or expenditure by a superintendent of schools or a school committee is in excess of the amount budgeted or that any revenue is less than the amount budgeted, the school committee shall within five (5) working days of its discovery of potential or actual over expenditure or revenue deficiency submit a written statement of the amount of and cause for the over obligation or over expenditure or revenue deficiency to the city or town council president and any other person who by local charter or statute serves as the city or towns executive officer; the statement shall further include a statement of the school committees plan for corrective actions necessary to meet the requirements of subsection (d). The plan shall be approved by the auditor general and also submitted to the division of municipal finance.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whether of general or specific application, and notwithstanding any contrary provision of any city or town charter or ordinance, the elected school committee of any city, town, and regional school district shall be, and is hereby authorized to retain, the services of independent legal counsel as it may deem necessary and convenient. Any counsel so retained shall be compensated out of funds duly appropriated to the school committee, and in no event shall the independent counsel be deemed to be an employee of the pertinent city or town for any purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-114-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-114 / Section 16-114-3
§ 16-114-3. Accountability.
Status: in_force

The academy shall be subject to educational accountability and financial standards and reporting requirements promulgated in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42 (administrative procedures) by the department of elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-109-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-109 / Section 16-109-1
§ 16-109-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Student Journalists Freedom of Expression Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-65-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-65 / Section 16-65-1
§ 16-65-1. Continuing education benefits for legislators.
Status: in_force

Members of the general assembly shall be entitled to audit courses at state colleges and universities without the payment of tuition, fees, or charges. Admission into particular courses shall be limited to one course per semester per legislator and where space is available.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-11 / Section 16-11-1
§ 16-11-1. Certification of public school teachers required  Deductions from state aid for noncompliance.
Status: in_force

No person shall be employed to teach, as principal or assistant, in any school supported wholly or in part by public money unless the person shall have a certificate of qualification issued by or under the authority of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. Provided, however, that any person who is employed as a part time speech and language pathologist at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, for a period of not less than ten (10) years prior to July 11, 1990, shall not be required to have a certificate of qualification, and shall be exempt from the provisions of this section which require the certificate. In case any city or town shall pay or cause to be paid any of the public money to any person for teaching who did not, at the time of teaching, hold a certificate, then the department of elementary and secondary education shall deduct a sum equal to the amount so paid from the amount of the states money due, or which may thereafter become due, to the city or town, before giving his or her order in favor of the city or town for any of the public money under the provisions of §§ 16-1-10, 16-1-11, and 16-5-22.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-3
§ 16-45-3. Evaluation for future programming.
Status: in_force

The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall begin an investigation and upon its findings shall from time to time review and evaluate the specific vocational needs of the entire state. It shall annually report the evaluation to the governor and the general assembly and make recommendations for future programming of courses and facilities for vocational and technological training.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-15 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-40 / Section 16-40-15
§ 16-40-15. Registers and blanks.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education or the office of higher education shall provide registers for all private schools and institutions, and shall prepare blank forms of inquiry for the facts called for in §§ 16-40-11, 16-40-12; and in doing so shall have special reference to the requirements of the office of education in Washington.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-37 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-37
§ 16-22-37. Dual language immersion model policy and timeline.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island department of education (department), in consultation with local education agencies (LEAs) that have a dual language immersion program, shall create a model policy and timeline to assist LEAs in developing and implementing a dual language immersion program.

(b) The LEAs approached by the department to consult on the model policy and timeline pursuant to subsection (a) shall cooperate with the departments requests or inquiries related to any dual language immersion program in a timely manner.

(c) The model policy and timeline shall:

(1) Be accessed easily by LEAs through electronic publication or other public distribution; and

(2) Include, but need not be limited to:

(i) A detailed description of best practices;

(ii) A step-by-step timeline; and

(iii) A list of sources consulted and additional resources to which LEAs may refer if any questions arise concerning the development and implementation of a dual language immersion program.

(d) The model policy and timeline shall be sent to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2023. The department shall also report to the general assembly, beginning on July 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, the number of LEAs with dual language immersion programs, the number of students served in a dual language immersion program by grade level, and the number of teachers for each grade with a dual language immersion program for the most recent school year.

(e) The Rhode Island department of education shall:

(1) Research the educational impact of dual language immersion programs across New England and report the findings to the general assembly no later than July 31, 2023; and

(2) Encourage LEAs to expand or develop courses in world languages in order that students in elementary and middle schools have access to these courses.

(f) For the purposes of this section, local education agencies shall include all of the following within the state of Rhode Island:

(1) Public school districts;

(2) Regional school districts;

(3) State-operated schools;

(4) Regional collaborative schools; and

(5) Charter schools.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-8 / Section 16-8-10
§ 16-8-10. Mandatory school lunch programs.
Status: in_force

All public elementary and secondary schools shall be required to make federally reimbursable lunches available to students attending those schools through the USDAs National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in accordance with federal regulation as well as rules and regulations adopted from time to time by the department of elementary and secondary education. To the extent that federal, state, and other funds are available, free and reimbursable lunches shall be provided to all students from families that meet the current specific criteria established by federal and state regulations to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The state of Rhode Island shall provide additional funds to public schools in an amount equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement rate for a free lunch and the federal reimbursement rate received for each student eligible for a reduced-price lunch and receiving lunch. The requirement that reimbursable lunches be provided shall apply to locally managed school lunch programs, and school lunch programs administered directly by the department of elementary and secondary education or by any other public agency whether using school facilities or a commercial catering service. The department of elementary and secondary education is further authorized to expand the school lunch program to the extent that federal, state, and/or local funds are available by the utilization of one or more food preparation centers for delivery to participating schools for the purpose of providing meals to students on a more economical basis than could be provided by a community acting individually.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-69-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-69 / Section 16-69-3
§ 16-69-3. Reports.
Status: in_force

Each year the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall make a report to the governor and the general assembly which shall include the following:

(1) The percent of state support of public education for the last completed fiscal year.

(2) The projected percent of state support for the current fiscal year.

(3) The estimated percent of state support for the ensuing fiscal year.

(4) Recommended steps for the governor and the general assembly to meet spending targets to achieve or maintain 60/40 state-local funding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-108-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-108 / Section 16-108-3
§ 16-108-3. Data transparency.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the department of elementary and secondary education collects demographic data as to the ancestry or ethnic origins of students for a report that includes educational proficiencies, graduation rates, attendance rates, and access to educational resources, the entity shall use separate collection categories and tabulations in accordance with the following:

(1) No later than twelve (12) months after a decennial United States Census is released to the public, each entity shall use the collection and tabulation categories for the Asian population groups as they are reported by the United States Census Bureau as well as people with disabilities and English language learners.

(2) The categories used by each entity for Asian population, to the extent not already required pursuant to this section, shall always include, but not be limited to, the following Asian ethnic groups:

(i) Cambodian, Filipino, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian ethnic groups.

(3) Until the release of the next decennial United States Census following the enactment of this chapter, each entity shall use the enhanced data collection and tabulation categories that the entity was previously required to use.

(4) Each entity shall comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99) and shall observe criteria for ensuring statistical significance of data collected and published.

(i) Districts reporting data with a student group that has too few students, as defined by a minimum size of ten (10), for evaluation must be notated.

(5) Each entity shall cross tabulate data of student outcome by gender, disability, and English proficiency for all students.

(6) Each entity shall make the demographic data publicly available, except for personal identifying information, which shall be deemed confidential, by posting the data on the applicable entitys website by July 1, 2018, and shall update the data annually thereafter. This subsection shall not be construed to prevent any other state agency from posting data collected on the state agencys website, in a matter prescribed by this section.

(b) This chapter shall only apply to the collection of data for students in the public elementary and secondary education system. It does not apply to the demographic data of students participating in postsecondary education.

(c) If the state determines that this chapter contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-17 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-17
§ 16-62-17. Assistance by state officers, departments, boards, and commissions.
Status: in_force

(a) All state agencies may render any services to the authority within their functions as may be requested by the authority.

(b) Upon request of the authority, any state agency is authorized and empowered to transfer to the authority any officers and employees as it may deem necessary to assist the authority in carrying out its functions and duties under this chapter. Officers and employees transferred shall not lose their civil service status or rights.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-54-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-54 / Section 16-54-2
§ 16-54-2. Duty of the school committee.
Status: in_force

In any city or town where there is a child who is eligible to attend elementary or secondary schools, and whose English proficiency is limited to such a degree that it impedes his or her academic progress, the school committee of the city or town shall provide those special services and programs which satisfy the needs of the child with limited English proficiency, in any programs and services as approved by the department of elementary and secondary education in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-89-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-89 / Section 16-89-6
§ 16-89-6. Effect on annual municipal appropriation.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to mean that the present annual municipal appropriation to any school district, school department or school committee shall be or may be decreased or diminished by the amount of any grant, gift or donation made pursuant to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-6
§ 16-62-6. Additional general powers.
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers enumerated in § 16-62-5, the authority shall have the power:

(1) To lend money to students and to parents of students and to refinance or consolidate eligible loans and education loans previously made to a student or parent by the authority or other lending sources for the purpose of assisting the student in obtaining an education in an eligible institution, including refinancing or consolidating obligations previously incurred by a student or a parent with other lending sources for this purpose and participating in loans to students or parents for this purpose with other lending sources.

(2) To make, acquire, take, or purchase eligible loans and education loans with the proceeds of bonds or notes or any other funds of the authority available for it or any interest or participation in it, in any amount, at any price or prices, and upon any terms and conditions as the authority will determine.

(3) To sell eligible loans held by the authority to governmental or private financial institutions, or to borrow from those financial institutions against the security of these eligible loans in any amounts, at any price or prices, and upon any terms and conditions as the authority shall determine.

(4) To procure insurance of every nature or to enter into agreements with eligible institutions to protect the authority against losses that may be incurred in connection with its property, assets, activities, or the exercise of the powers granted under this chapter.

(5) Subject to a contract with the holders of its bonds or notes, or a contract with the recipient of an eligible loan, when the authority deems it necessary or desirable to consent to the modification, with respect to security, rate of interest, time of payment of interest or principal, or any other term of a bond or note, contract, or agreement between the authority and the recipient or maker of a loan, bond, or note holder, or agency or institution guaranteeing the repayment, purchasing, or selling of an eligible loan.

(6) To engage the services of consultants on a contract basis for rendering professional and technical assistance and advice, and to employ attorneys, accountants, financial experts, and any other advisors, consultants, and agents that may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation.

(7) To contract for and to accept any gifts, grants, loans, funds, property (real or personal), or financial or other assistance in any form from the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of it, or from the state or any agency or instrumentality of it, or from any other source, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions of it.

(8) To borrow money and to issue bonds and notes and to provide for the rights of the holders of these, and to secure the bonds and notes by assignment, pledge, or granting of a security interest in its property, including, without limitation, all or a part of its interest in eligible loans, education loans, or agreements with eligible institutions with regard to these for the purpose of providing funds to effectuate its purposes under this chapter, including the financing of eligible loans or education loans or for the purpose of refunding any bonds previously issued.

(9) To prescribe rules and regulations deemed necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, without limitation, rules and regulations: (i) To ensure compliance by the authority with the requirements imposed by statutes or regulations governing the guaranty, insurance, purchase, or other dealing in eligible loans by federal agencies, instrumentalities, or corporations, and (ii) To set standards of eligibility for educational institutions, students, and lenders and to define residency and all other terms as the authority deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(10) To establish penalties for violations of any order, rule, or regulation of the authority, and a method for enforcing the orders, rules, and regulations.

(11) To set and collect fees and charges in connection with its eligible loans, commitments, and servicing, including, without limitation, reimbursement of the costs of financing by the authority, service charges, insurance premiums, and costs incurred by the authority in carrying out its corporate purposes.

(12) To create and establish any other fund, or funds, that may be necessary or desirable for its corporate purposes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-13.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-13.1
§ 16-16-13.1. Teachers with more than 30 years of service  Amount of service retirement allowance  Minimum and maximum limitations.
Status: in_force

In the case of any teacher who is a member of the employees retirement system of the state created by chapter 8 of title 36 who, at the time of retirement, has had at least thirty (30) years or more of total service, the teacher shall receive an annual retirement allowance of not less than thirty-four hundred dollars ($3,400) per year with an additional increment of two hundred dollars ($200) for each additional year of service up through a total of thirty-eight (38) years to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000); provided that this section shall not apply in the case of any teacher who has elected an option for payment of pension and has thereby reduced the amount received to less than the amounts set forth in this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-9 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-9
§ 16-45-9. Vocational education.
Status: in_force

Upon the establishment of full funding of § 16-45-7, the regulations promulgated by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education for the administration and operation of career and technical schools shall go into effect.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-111-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-111 / Section 16-111-4
§ 16-111-4. Food service  Local sources preferred.
Status: in_force

It shall be the policy of the state, the department of education, and any educational entity to encourage that any request for proposal (RFP) to a food service company (vendor) to provide food services to an educational entity encourage the use of a vendor that purchases ten percent (10%) of the required food service product from a Rhode Island-based food service company. In addition, it shall also be the policy of the state, the department of education, and any educational entity, to encourage the use of vendors who recycle organic-waste materials at an authorized composting facility, an anaerobic digestion facility, or by another authorized recycling method, regardless of whether the entity purchasing the services is or is not an educational entity, or a covered entity or a covered educational institution pursuant to the provisions of § 23-18.9-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-111-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-111 / Section 16-111-3
§ 16-111-3. Food service and refuse disposal.
Status: in_force

It shall be the policy of the state, the department of education, and any educational entity to require that any request for proposal (RFP) to select a food service company (vendor) to provide food services to an educational entity shall include, as part of its proposal, assurances that the vendor is in compliance with all laws relative to recycling and composting pursuant to chapter 18.9 of title 23; provided that, food waste is separated for diversion within that educational entity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-8
§ 16-60-8. State educational budget and appropriations.
Status: in_force

The general assembly shall annually appropriate any sums as it deems necessary for support and maintenance of elementary and secondary education in the state and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of those appropriations or so much of this sum as may be necessary for the purposes appropriated, upon the receipt by the controller of proper vouchers as the board of regents for elementary and secondary education may by rule provide. The regents shall receive, review, and adjust the budget of its several subordinate committees and agencies and present the budget as part of the budget for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-33-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-33 / Section 16-33-10
§ 16-33-10. Statutory references  Former name.
Status: in_force

Where in any existing law reference is made to Rhode Island College of Education, and where in existing law the term college or said college, as variously used, refers to Rhode Island College of Education, the reference and the term shall be deemed to refer to Rhode Island College.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-50-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-50 / Section 16-50-4
§ 16-50-4. Publicizing of instruction.
Status: in_force

No person shall:

(1) Make or cause to be made any statement or representation, oral, written, or visual, in connection with the offering or publicizing of a course, if the person knows or reasonably should have known the statement or representation to be false, deceptive, substantially inaccurate, or misleading.

(2) Promise or guarantee employment utilizing information, training, or skill purported to be provided or enhanced by a course, unless the promisor or guarantor offers the student or prospective student a bona fide contract of employment agreeing to employ the student or prospective student for a period of not less than ninety (90) days in a business or other enterprise regularly conducted by him or her and in which the information, training, or skill is a normal condition of employment.

(3) Do any act constituting part of the conduct or administration of a course, or the obtaining of students for the course, if the person knows or reasonably should know that any phase or incident of the conduct or administration of the course is being carried on by the use of fraud, deception, or other misrepresentation, or by any person soliciting students without a permit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-28.4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-28.4
§ 16-21-28.4. Immunity for those using glucagon.
Status: in_force

No school teacher, school administrator, school health care personnel, person employed on behalf of the school, any other school personnel, nor any local educational authority shall be liable for civil damages which may result from acts or omissions in use of glucagon which may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity does nor apply to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton conduct.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-12
§ 16-60-12. Meaning of terms in existing law.
Status: in_force

When in any law, resolution, document, record, instrument, proceeding, or other place the words board of education, state board of education, or board of regents for education as they shall apply to elementary and secondary education shall appear they shall be construed to mean board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-1.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-1.1
§ 16-24-1.1. Parental consent required. [Effective July 1, 2026.]
Status: in_force

(a) Unless expressly preempted by federal law, local education agencies (LEAs) shall obtain written parental consent before conducting an initial evaluation or making an initial placement of a student in a special education program of services. Except when the parent is unresponsive as described in the exception provided in this section, written parental consent shall also be obtained before:

(1) Conducting a reevaluation; and/or

(2) Making any changes to an existing Individualized Education Program (IEP).

(b) A parent may revoke consent at any time for all special education and related services. Except for initial evaluation and initial placement, consent may not be required as a condition of any continuing benefit to the student of existing services while disagreements about services are being resolved.

(c) In order that parental consent be properly informed, parents have the right, upon request, to observe any placement proposed for their child if the child is identified as eligible for special education services. An LEA may implement reasonable limitations on the timing, duration, and frequency of observation visits, but may only prohibit parents from visiting a placement with students present in limited circumstances when such prohibition is necessary to protect:

(1) The safety of the children in the program during the observation;

(2) The integrity of the program during the observation; or

(3) The confidential, personally identifiable information of children in the program, consistent with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.), both as may be amended from time to time.

(d) When imposing any such prohibition, the LEA shall:

(1) Allow parents to visit the placement or setting without students present; and

(2) Issue a written notification to the parents explaining why it was necessary to prohibit observation with students present.

(e) For forty-five-day (45) emergency placements in interim alternative educational settings under 34 C.F.R. § 300.530(g), LEAs shall offer parents an opportunity to observe the placement within a reasonable time following the placement, subject to the same reasonable limitations as described for other observation visits in this section. In implementing regulations, the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education (the department) may issue standards or guidance further detailing reasonable limitations or restrictions allowable hereunder.

(f) To further ensure informed parental participation, parents shall receive evaluation reports and other relevant written materials that will be considered at an eligibility or IEP meeting, including proposed goals and objectives for the IEP if they have been drafted, at least three (3) calendar days prior to attending the meeting at which those materials will be discussed. To address parental scheduling needs, parents can agree to the sharing of this material less than three (3) calendar days ahead of the meeting. All materials provided shall comply with legal requirements for language accessibility.

(g) The LEAs timeframe for conducting initial evaluations and convening a meeting (as described in 200-RICR-20-30-6.7.2(A)(1)(b)) and for conducting revaluations and convening a meeting (as described in 200-RICR-20-30-6.7.2(C)(1)(b)) shall be sixty-three (63) calendar days.

(h)(1) No later than ten (10) school days after receipt of any proposed IEP, the parents shall accept or reject the IEP in writing.

(2) If the IEP is rejected, the parents may request a meeting to discuss the rejected IEP. Until the LEA and parents have reached consensus on a new IEP or the disputed issue(s) have been resolved via a facilitated IEP meeting, mediation, due process decision, or some other appropriate means, the existing IEP will remain effective.

(3) If the IEP is accepted, the LEA shall implement the IEP on the date specified in the proposed IEP.

(4) If the parents fail to respond within ten (10) school days after receipt of the proposed IEP, the LEA shall implement the proposed IEP on the date specified in the IEP.

(i) An LEA shall not be considered to be in violation of the requirement to make free and appropriate public education available to the child merely because the child does not receive the special education and related services for which the parent refuses to provide consent.

(j) If, subsequent to initial evaluation and initial IEP, the LEA is unable to obtain parental consent to a reevaluation or to a proposed change to an existing IEP, the LEA shall consider whether such action will result in the denial of a free, appropriate public education to the student. If, after consideration, the LEA determines that the parents failure or refusal to consent will result in a denial of a free, appropriate public education to the student, it may seek resolution of the dispute through mediation and/or a due process hearing. This subsection shall not apply if the parent has revoked consent to all special education and related services.

(k) When an LEA: (1) Proposes to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or the provision of a free and appropriate public education to the child; or (2) Refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or the provision of a free and appropriate public education to the child, the LEA shall make and document at least three (3) efforts to contact the parent, utilizing at least two (2) of the following means: written notices sent by certified mail; electronic mail; telephone call; and home visits at such time as the parent is likely to be home. All attempts to provide notice shall comply with legal requirements for language and other accessibility. If the above efforts are attempted and documented, and the district is unable to secure parental response to a proposed reevaluation, placement subsequent to the initial placement in a special education program, or change to an IEP, the LEA may move forward with its proposed reevaluation, change in placement, and/or change to the existing IEP. This provision to override the lack of parental response shall not apply if the parent has revoked consent to all special education and related services.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-22 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-22
§ 16-62-22. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this chapter but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-115-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-115 / Section 16-115-2
§ 16-115-2. Rhode Island early care and education workforce registry data system.
Status: in_force

(a) On or before July 1, 2025, the department of human services shall implement an early care and education workforce registry that meets the recommended guidelines of the National Workforce Registry Alliance and includes information about staff who work directly with children in all licensed child care and early learning centers and family child care homes in the state.

(b) The registry shall be designed to support communication of important information and professional development opportunities directly to front-line child care and early educators. The registry shall also be designed to help the state gather and maintain information about the demographics and annual turnover of educators in licensed child care and early learning programs by key factors including educational qualifications and age category of children they teach.

(c) Annually, beginning on or before January 1, 2026, the department of human services shall produce an annual report on the status of the early care and education registry and the characteristics of the early care and education workforce, including demographic information, qualifications, and turnover data. The report shall be shared with the general assembly, the childrens cabinet, all licensed child care centers and family child care homes, and individuals participating in the registry. The report shall also be posted on the departments website for the general public.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-6.4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-6.4
§ 16-16-6.4. Service credit for appropriate work experience  Certified nurse teachers  Contributions.
Status: in_force

(a) In determining the creditable service of any certified nurse teacher employed by the state or by any city or town for the purpose of retirement or a service retirement allowance (not including a deferred retirement allowance), there may be added to, and included in, total service as defined in this chapter not more than four (4) years of appropriate work experience. The service shall not be counted as creditable service unless the member shall pay into the retirement system a contribution equal to the full actuarial costs for each year of the service for which the member claims credit.

(b) Credit for appropriate work experience which is purchased under paragraph (a) above may also be used for retirement purposes under the provisions of subsection (a) for certified nurse teachers who retire on ordinary disability under § 36-10-13 or § 16-16-14, provided the certified nurse teachers have at least ten (10) years creditable service.

(c) The term appropriate work experience for the purposes of a certified nurse teacher means service in any industry, business, or other appropriate enterprise where a member has worked as a registered nurse and for which no credit for the purposes of retirement has been granted for either teaching in a school of nursing or for any other appropriate work experience; provided, however, that no member shall be allowed credit for more than a total of four (4) years of service credit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-14
§ 16-3-14. Regional representatives.
Status: in_force

In cities and towns that do not have a regional school district financial meeting, the regional school committee or an alternative mechanism approved by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall determine the regional school district budget as to overall amounts, the purchase of land, and the construction of buildings.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-59-25.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-59 / Section 16-59-25.1
§ 16-59-25.1. Maintenance of voter registration files.
Status: in_force

(a) In order to better maintain voter registration files, all institutions of higher education shall, on or before August 15th of each year, electronically transmit a text file or database to the secretary of state containing the names and current addresses of those students who have graduated that year and for whom public directory information is available. Within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the file or database, the secretary of state may send a letter to each such student requesting verification as to whether such student intends to continue to reside in the State of Rhode Island.

(b) The letter shall:

(1) Request the student, if he or she has moved to a new address within Rhode Island, to complete a form, enclosed with the letter, allowing him or her to provide a new address for re-registration purposes;

(2) Request the student, if he or she has moved to a new address outside of Rhode Island, to so advise the secretary of state on a form enclosed with the letter, authorizing his or her removal from the voter registration list;

(3) Remind the student to re-register at a new address if he or she subsequently moves from their current address; and

(4) Make clear that the request for information is strictly voluntary, that the student has no obligation to respond to the letter, and that no student shall be removed from the voter registration list unless such student responds to the mailing and authorizes his or her removal from the voter registration list.

(c) Mailings conducted pursuant to this section shall not seek address correction from the postal service. In the event that a letter is nonetheless returned as undeliverable to the address where the letter was sent, it shall not serve as a basis for initiating the confirmation process established in § 17-9.1-26.

(d) The form letter used by the secretary of state to implement this provision shall be adopted in accordance with the rule-making provisions of chapter 35 of title 42 (The Administrative Procedures Act).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-4.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-4.1
§ 16-22-4.1. Rhode Island healthy weight pilot program established.
Status: in_force

(a) The state shall establish pilot programs in communities of the several cities and towns to encourage and promote healthy weight and weight management in children. These programs shall incorporate 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.

(b) Funding for these pilot programs shall be acquired from federal grants and related funds allocated to the state for purposes of combating obesity, and through such additional sources as the legislature shall deem appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-62-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-62 / Section 16-62-2
§ 16-62-2. Findings.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to authorize a system of financial assistance, consisting of grants, loans, and other aids, for qualified inhabitants of the state to enable them to obtain a postsecondary education by attending public or private educational institutions both within and without the state. The general assembly has found and declares that it is in the public interest and essential to the welfare and well being of the inhabitants of the state and to the proper growth and development of the state to foster and provide financial assistance to inhabitants of the state, properly qualified for it, in order to help them to obtain a postsecondary education. The general assembly has found that many inhabitants of the state who are fully qualified to enroll in appropriate educational institutions for furthering their education beyond the high school level lack the financial means and are unable, without financial assistance as authorized under this chapter, to pay the cost of that education, with a consequent irreparable loss to the state of valuable talents vital to its welfare. The general assembly has determined that the establishment of a proper system of financial assistance for that objective purpose serves a public purpose and is fully consistent with the long established policy of the state to encourage, promote and assist the education of the people of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-15 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-15
§ 16-32-15. Assumption of defaulted obligations  Lien on property.
Status: in_force

Whenever default is made on the part of a society in the payment of loans guaranteed under the provisions of § 16-32-12, or any part of them, the board of trustees is authorized to assume the obligation and to make required payments on principal and interest from any of the appropriations available for the university of Rhode Island. In the event of a default, in cases where that board assumes the obligation of a society, the state shall have a lien subject to any mortgages or encumbrances existing at the time on any and all property of the society. The lien may be released after the reimbursement to the state of all payments made on behalf of the society, plus accrued interest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-14
§ 16-21-14. Hearing, speech, and vision screenings  Records  Statewide hearing screening program.
Status: in_force

(a) The program shall provide for screenings of the hearing, speech, and vision of all children in these schools, and the preservation of records of the screenings of the children and notification of the parent or guardian of any child where there is an identified or suspected special health care need.

(b) Upon initial entry, all school children shall be given a hearing screening test by a properly trained professional employed by the department of elementary and secondary education, at intervals consistent with regulations promulgated by the director of health and the commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(c) Pupils who failed the hearing screening test in previous years, repeat a grade, have a history of hearing difficulty or pathology, or are suspected by school personnel of a hearing loss shall be screened as often as is necessary.

(d) The program shall be known as the statewide hearing screening program. It shall be operated by the department of elementary and secondary education.

(e) The department is authorized and directed to maintain the program and provide equipment that may be necessary to implement the purposes of this section.

(f) Upon request from a local education agency the commissioner of elementary and secondary education may grant the local education agency permission to conduct its own hearing screening program after he or she first determines that the agency has a capacity to adhere to the screening schedule as outlined in this section and that properly trained professionals defined in regulation will be performing the activities.

(g) Tests shall not be required of any student whose parent or guardian objects on the ground that the tests conflict with their religious beliefs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-8-15 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-8 / Section 16-8-15
§ 16-8-15. Education Jobs Fund.
Status: in_force

For FY 2012 only, state general revenue appropriations to all local education agencies  including school districts, charter schools, and state schools  shall be reduced by the amount allocated to each local education agency under the terms of the federal Education Jobs Fund program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-13
§ 16-2-13. Joint committee  Annual convention  Superintendent  Dissolution.
Status: in_force

The school committees of the cities or towns voting to unite for the purpose of the employment of a superintendent of the schools as prescribed in § 16-2-12, shall form a joint committee, for the purpose of this chapter; the joint committee shall be the agents of each city or town comprising the union. The school committees shall meet annually in joint convention at a place and time agreed upon by the chairpersons of the several school committees, and shall organize by the choice of a chairperson and secretary. They shall choose by ballot a superintendent of schools, fix his or her salary, and apportion the amount to be paid by each of the cities or towns, approximately according to the next preceding school census in the city or town. The union shall not be dissolved because the number of schools shall have increased beyond the number of sixty (60), nor, for any reason, for the period of three (3) years from the date of the formation of the union, except by concurrent votes of the school committees of a majority of the cities or towns constituting the union.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-28 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-28
§ 16-22-28. Instruction in media literacy.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education shall consider, in consultation with national or statewide organizations focused on media literacy, the incorporation of media literacy education into the board of educations basic education program regulations.

For the purposes of this section, media literacy means the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and communicate using a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, print, visual, audio, interactive, and digital texts.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-106-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-106 / Section 16-106-3
§ 16-106-3. Performance incentive funding  Community College of Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

(a) Beginning in FY 2018, funding for the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) shall include a performance-based component utilizing all additional allocations of otherwise unrestricted, higher-education general revenue greater than the base amount received pursuant to the FY 2016 budget as enacted of total unrestricted state higher-education funding.

(b) Data on which to base performance measures as described in subsection (c) shall be defined by the commissioner of postsecondary education, in consultation with the council on postsecondary education. Measures shall begin to be collected in FY 2017.

These measures may include and incorporate outcomes or goals from multiple, previous years. The lack of information from previous years, however, will not affect the use of performance-based measures.

(c) The performance-based measures shall be consistent with the purpose, role, scope, and mission of CCRI, and shall include the following metrics:

(1) For first-time, full-time students, the number and percentage, including growth thereof in relation to enrollment and in prior years, of associates degrees awarded to students within two (2) years and three (3) years, including summer graduates; for part-time students, performance-based measures shall be based on incremental milestones made toward achieving degree or certificate completion;

(2) The number of one year or longer industry-recognized certificates earned by students within an expected amount of time, and weighted to increase high demand, high-wage field certificates consistent with CCRIs purpose;

(3) One measure, as agreed to by the commissioner of postsecondary education and the president of CCRI, who shall consider faculty, staff, and student input; and

(4) Any other measures that are deemed appropriate by the council of postsecondary education.

(d) Weight may be assigned to any of the aforementioned metrics to reinforce the purpose, role, scope, and mission of CCRI, the economic needs of the state, and the socio-economic status of the students. The commissioner may consider the colleges improvements in said metrics when determining whether the college has satisfied the annual measure despite not reaching the overall goal.

(e) The commissioner shall provide faculty and students an opportunity to provide input on the development of performance measures.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-6
§ 16-45-6. Powers additional to previous authority.
Status: reserved

(a) The powers delegated and authorized in this chapter for the board of regents for elementary and secondary education and the department of elementary and secondary education shall be in addition to those previously authorized by any other general or public law.

(b) The governance, funding, and programming of the William M. Davies, Jr. vocational technical school and the Metropolitan Career and Technical School shall be in accordance with the rules and regulations formulated by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education pursuant to chapter 35 of title 42. Provided, however, the additional appropriation by the General Assembly in fiscal year 2005 for the William M. Davies, Jr. Vocational Technical School shall be used to fund sixty (60) additional placements. Forty (40) of those placements shall be made available to students from the City of Providence.

(c) The purpose of this chapter is to restructure the system of career and technical schools in Rhode Island for the benefit of the students, the economy, and the general welfare. The paramount aim is to enable the schools to make more significant contributions in providing the states students with the career preparation they need to compete and succeed in the world of today and of the future. To ensure student success, a system of model career and technical schools will be established and supported. These schools will provide: integrated academic and vocational curricula, up to date technology, programs to meet the varying needs of all students, and strong links to business, industry, postsecondary education, and the community.

(d)(1) There shall be a system of state operated career and technical schools serving geographic areas of the state. Students attending these regional schools will do so on a full time basis with the costs for their education at the regional school being shared by the state and the district of residence as described in § 16-7.2-5. State schools currently participating in the state retirement system that are not receiving reimbursement pursuant to § 16-16-22 shall have their state aid adjusted to reflect full reimbursement for expenses related to employer retirement contributions for those staff employed by the state.

(2) These schools shall be operated as local education agencies and each shall be governed by a board of trustees. With the exception of those powers and duties reserved by the director, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, the board of trustees shall have the powers and duties of school committees. The Davies school shall be the first school operated under the provisions of this chapter and shall be renamed the William M. Davies, Jr. career and technical high school. The Metropolitan Career and Technical School shall be the second school operated under the provisions of this chapter.

(e)(1) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall appoint the members of the board of trustees from nominations made by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. The chairperson shall also be selected in this manner. The board of regents shall determine the number, qualifications, and terms of office of members of the board of trustees. The board of trustees will be broadly representative of the local communities served by each school and the larger statewide workforce interests.

(2) The board of regents shall establish strategic directions for the career and technical education system that are consistent with the states economic development plans, workforce requirements, and educational priorities and learner outcomes established by the board of regents.

(3) The board of regents shall provide parameters for the overall budget requests, approve the budget, and participate in budget development as required in subsection (i).

(f)(1) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall recommend parameters for the overall budget requests, recommend a budget and participate in budget development as required in subsection (i).

(2) The commissioner shall approve the process for selection of a director of each regional school. The commissioner shall develop a plan for statewide implementation of the provisions of this chapter.

(g) The board of trustees shall meet monthly and serve without compensation. Nine (9) members of the board of trustees shall be required to attend teacher appeal hearings conducted pursuant to § 16-13-4. The board of trustees shall have broad policy making authority for the operation of the school consistent with subsection (e) and the following powers and duties:

(1) To identify the educational needs of the communities in the district.

(2) To develop educational policies to meet the needs of students in the communities served by the school district.

(3) To appoint a director of its regional school to serve as its chief executive officer and to approve assistant and associate directors from nominations made by the director.

(4) To provide policy guidance and participate in budget development as required in subsection (i).

(5) To develop staffing policies which ensure that all students are taught by educators of the highest possible quality.

(h)(1) The director will serve at the pleasure of the board of trustees with the initial appointment to be for a period of not more than three (3) years, provided, that the term and conditions of employment are subject to the approval of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education.

(2) It is the responsibility of the director to manage and operate the school on a day to day basis. The directors duties shall include the following:

(i) To be responsible for the entire care, supervision, and management of the career and technical high school.

(ii) To recommend to the board of trustees educational policies to meet the needs of the district, and to implement policies established by the board of trustees.

(iii) To present nominations to the board of trustees for assistant and associate directors and to appoint all other school personnel.

(iv) To provide for the evaluation of all school district personnel.

(v) To establish a school based management approach for decision making for the operation of the school.

(vi) To prepare a budget and participate in budget development as required in subsection (i), and to authorize purchases consistent with the adopted school district budget.

(vii) To report to the board of trustees on a regular basis the financial condition and operation of the school, and to report annually on the educational progress of the school.

(viii) To establish appropriate advisory committees as needed to provide guidance on new directions and feedback on the operation of the school.

(i) With policy guidance from the board of trustees and extensive involvement of the administrators and faculty in the school, the director of each regional school shall annually prepare a budget. The board of trustees will approve the budget and transmit it to the commissioner. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education, upon recommendation of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, shall provide parameters for the overall budget request. Based on review and recommendation by the commissioner, the board of regents shall approve the total budget and incorporate it into its budget request to the governor and to the general assembly. Line item budgeting decisions shall be the responsibility of the director.

(j) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or interfere with the rights of teachers and other school employees to bargain collectively pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28 or to allow the board of trustees or the director to abrogate any agreement by collective bargaining. Employees at the William M. Davies school shall continue to be state employees and the bargaining units which are presently established at the school shall remain intact.

(k) Any tuition payments, which are made to the William M. Davies Career and Technical high school from the district of residence of its students, as authorized in R.I.G.L. § 16-7.2-5, shall be deposited into a restricted receipt account to be used for the same educational purposes that its state appropriation is used. Any such funds shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery provisions of § 35-4-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-98-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-98 / Section 16-98-5
§ 16-98-5. Funding to teacher training entities.
Status: in_force

To the extent funds are appropriated for this program, the department shall provide grants per eligible teacher to the endorsed teacher training entities that provide training to teachers to teach advanced placement upon completion of the training program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-7
§ 16-45-7. Annual appropriations.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly shall appropriate any sum as it may deem necessary for the purpose of reducing local district area vocational technical school tuition. All districts which send students to state operated schools which are funded through the operations aid formula shall not be entitled to receive funds under this section for students attending those schools.

(b) Each year one hundred percent (100%) of the approved regional vocational school expenditures for the reference year is appropriated. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall be responsible for approving regional vocational technical school budgets and eligible programs and shall promulgate rules and regulations for the approval of budget expenditures and operation of the schools. All funds provided by this section will be ineligible for reimbursement under the provisions of chapter 7 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-1.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-1.1
§ 16-45-1.1. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

(a) The overall mission of vocational education in Rhode Island is to develop programs and services from elementary level through secondary, postsecondary, and adult levels to prepare students for productive employment or additional education without prematurely limiting them to a particular occupational or educational choice.

(b) Vocational education is defined as a state approved educational program below the baccalaureate level taught by a properly certified teacher, designed to:

(1) Prepare individuals for gainful employment in recognized and/or emerging clusters of related occupations;

(2) Assist individuals in making informed occupational choices; and

(3) Upgrade individuals already in an occupational field.

(c) Pre-vocational education is defined as instruction which introduces students to a variety of employment opportunities and which facilitates the process of choosing a career appropriate to a students interest and aptitude.

(d) The following principles apply to the development and operation of all vocational programs, activities, and services:

(1)(i) Access. All youth and adults who choose vocational education shall have access to those programs.

(ii) A public awareness program shall provide information regarding state approved vocational programs to students and their parents in their native language.

(iii) A full range of programs and supplemental services shall be provided for those students whose previous achievements and preparation indicate that additional support is necessary for them to succeed in vocational education.

(iv) Admissions criteria and assessment procedures shall promote equal access, enrollment, and participation in vocational programs regardless of age, sex, race, limited English proficiency, disadvantagement, or disability.

(2) Purpose. (i) The purpose of vocational education is preparation for direct placement into the world of work consistent with economic development needs and/or preparation for postsecondary education. (ii) Vocational preparation aims at: (A) The development of academic, technical, problem solving, critical thinking skills, and concepts related to a cluster of allied occupations as well as specific job entry requirements. (B) Graduating students with an understanding of the total enterprise of an occupational field and the ability to adapt to technological change. (iii) Vocational assessment, guidance, support services, bilingual resources, placement services, and transitional planning should be provided to all students appropriate to their individual needs. (iv) Student understanding of community needs, conditions of employment, and skills or attributes are best gained in the work environment through cooperative education, and other work related programs of instruction. (v) Vocational programs shall be organized for maximum articulation between educational levels.

(3)(i) Participation. There shall be broad representation and full participation in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating vocational programs.

(ii) A comprehensive and coordinated system of vocational education can best be achieved by the collective action of many agencies of which the school is the major one.

(iii) Vocational programs should be developed with participation from students, parents, educators, workers and representatives of labor, community based organizations, business, and special populations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-53-12 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-53 / Section 16-53-12
§ 16-53-12. Trust gifts, grants and donations.
Status: in_force

The trust is authorized to receive any gifts, grants, or donations made for any of the purposes of its program, including state and federal funds, and to disburse and administer the gifts, grants, or donations in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-95-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-95 / Section 16-95-3
§ 16-95-3. Recovery high schools established.
Status: in_force

(a) The commissioner is hereby authorized to create a pilot recovery high school for the purposes of demonstrating the effectiveness of this model in Rhode Island. Any currently licensed entities eligible to establish a recovery high school, as defined in subdivision 16-93-2(1), may submit a proposal to operate a pilot recovery high school to the commissioner no later than December 1st of the school year before the school year in which the recovery high school is to begin operation. The approval of the board of regents shall be required in order for the recovery high school to begin operation.

(b) By approval of the proposal upon the recommendation of the commissioner, the board of regents will be deemed to have authorized all necessary variances from regulations enumerated in the proposal.

(c) After two (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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-14 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-14
§ 16-22-14. Suicide prevention awareness.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and prescribe a suicide prevention awareness program for public school students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12). The school committees of the several cities, towns, and school districts shall provide for the incorporation of the program in existing health education courses.

(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall institute workshops to be developed and provided by the Samaritans, Inc. for those public school teachers designated to teach the suicide prevention awareness program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-9-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-9 / Section 16-9-1
§ 16-9-1. Receipt and payment of school funds by town treasurer.
Status: in_force

The town treasurer shall receive the money due the town from the state for public schools, and shall keep a separate accounting of all money appropriated by the state or town or otherwise for public schools in the town, and shall pay the money to the order of the school committee; provided, however, that school expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals shall not, in any fiscal year, exceed the total revenue appropriated for public schools in the town. Should the town treasurer, finance director, or other charter officer charged with general responsibility for town finances, or the school financial officer, estimate that actual public school expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals may exceed the total revenue appropriated for the expenditures in any fiscal year, the school committee, the superintendent of schools, and the chief elected officials of the town shall be notified. Purchase orders or financial commitments shall not be authorized even on the order of the school committee unless it can be proven that there will not be an excess of expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals over revenues. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit a school committee from negotiating and contracting with school employees and teachers for services to be rendered in the ensuing fiscal years pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-108-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-108 / Section 16-108-1
§ 16-108-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the All Students Count Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-72-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-72 / Section 16-72-2
§ 16-72-2. Legislative intent  Capital project.
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes that the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the Community College of Rhode Island would be greatly strengthened by the addition of funds for capital improvements which are essential for the maintenance and future development of physical assets. It recognizes that private support in addition to state support is desirable in achieving this goal. It is the intent of the legislature to provide the opportunity to each public institution of higher education in Rhode Island to receive and match challenge grants for capital projects within the university, the college, and the community college. The associated foundations that serve these institutions shall solicit and receive gifts from private sources to provide for matching funds to the challenge grants for the establishment of capital projects.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-80-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-80 / Section 16-80-3
§ 16-80-3. Purpose and intent.
Status: in_force

The purpose and legislative intent of this chapter is:

(1) To establish a state framework within which state departments can create an interagency mechanism to develop, implement and maintain a statewide system of school-to work transition;

(2) To establish a state framework to promote the formation of local partnerships that link the worlds of school and work among schools and post-secondary educational institutions, private and public employers, labor organizations, government, community based organizations, parents, students, state educational, training, human service and economic development agencies and that will provide all students with opportunities to participate in education and training programs that will prepare them for high skill, high wage careers, further education and training and lifelong learning.

(3) To establish a system that ensures that females, minority students, limited-English proficient students and students with disabilities are provided with equitable opportunities to both participate in and benefit from apprenticeships and careers in skilled trades and advanced technology by providing them with necessary modifications and support to succeed;

(4) To utilize federal funds to develop, implement, and maintain a statewide school-to-work system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-113-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-113 / Section 16-113-6
§ 16-113-6. Eligibility for merit-based tuition reduction scholarship at Rhode Island college.
Status: in_force

(a) Beginning with the students who enrolled at Rhode Island college in the fall of 2023, a student:

(1) Must qualify for in-state tuition and fees pursuant to the residency policy adopted by the council on postsecondary education, as amended, supplemented, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time (residency policy);

(2) Must be a currently enrolled full-time student who has declared a major and earned a minimum of sixty (60) total credit hours towards an eligible program of study, as determined by Rhode Island college;

(3) Must complete the FAFSA and any required FAFSA verification by the deadline prescribed by Rhode Island college for each year in which the student seeks to receive funding under the scholarship program; provided that, persons who are legally unable to complete the FAFSA must complete a comparable form created by Rhode Island college, by the deadline prescribed by Rhode Island college, for each year in which the student seeks to receive funding under the scholarship program;

(4) Must enroll or have enrolled full-time as a freshman as a first-time student and continue to be enrolled on a full-time basis at Rhode Island college, by the dates indicated within this chapter;

(5) Must maintain an average annual cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater, as determined by Rhode Island college, prior to obtaining the scholarship and also as a condition of being able to continue to be a scholarship recipient;

(6) Must remain on track to graduate on time as determined by Rhode Island college and must complete both the students freshman and sophomore years at Rhode Island college, or in the case of an adult student, have completed sixty (60) credit hours of tuition and mandatory fees at Rhode Island college over a duration of no more than four (4) years;

(7) Must not have already received an award under this program or under chapter 107 of this title; and

(8) Must commit to live, work, or continue their education in Rhode Island after graduation.

(b) Rhode Island college, in conjunction with the office of the postsecondary commissioner, shall develop a policy that will secure the commitment set forth in subsection (a) of this section from recipient students.

(c) Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements under subsection (a) of this section (specified conditions):

(1) In the case of a recipient student who has an approved medical or personal leave of absence or is unable to satisfy one or more specified conditions because of the students medical or personal circumstances, the student may continue to receive an award under the scholarship program upon resuming the students education so long as the student continues to meet all other applicable eligibility requirements;

(2) In the case of a recipient student who is a member of the national guard or a member of a reserve unit of a branch of the United States military and is unable to satisfy one or more specified conditions because the student is or will be in basic or special military training, or is or will be participating in a deployment of the students guard or reserve unit, the student may continue to receive an award under the scholarship program upon completion of the students basic or special military training or deployment; and

(3) Students enrolled in Rhode Island college as of July 1, 2021, who have attained junior status at Rhode Island college as of July 1, 2023, or who enrolled in Rhode Island college as of July 1, 2022, and who have attained junior status at Rhode Island college as of July 1, 2024, and who are otherwise in compliance with this chapter, shall be eligible for a hope scholarship under this chapter.

(4) Any student with a disability, otherwise eligible for a scholarship pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall be entitled to access this program and shall be afforded all reasonable accommodations, as required by the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, including, but not limited to, enrolling on a part-time basis and taking longer than four (4) years to graduate with a bachelors degree.

(d) The decision of whether or not a student has attained junior or senior status by the appropriate date shall be determined by the appropriate body of Rhode Island college, subject to the rules, regulations, and procedures established pursuant to § 16-113-8.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-1
§ 16-2-1. Cities included as towns.
Status: in_force

Wherever the word town is used in this chapter, it shall be construed to mean city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-2
§ 16-16-2. Membership in system.
Status: in_force

Membership in the retirement system for teachers began on July 1, 1949, and shall consist of:

(1) All teachers as defined in this chapter who were in service on that date, and

(2) All persons who become teachers on or after that date, which teachers shall become members of the system as a condition of their employment as teachers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-2
§ 16-105-2. School building authority established.
Status: in_force

The general assembly hereby designates the department of elementary and secondary education as the states school building authority with the responsibility to implement a system of state funding for school facilities designed to:

(1) Promote adequate school housing for all public school children in the state; and

(2) Prevent the cost of school housing from interfering with the effective operation of the schools.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-9.4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-9.4
§ 16-2-9.4. School district accounting compliance.
Status: in_force

(a) The office of auditor general and the department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate a uniform system of accounting, including a chart of accounts based on the recommendations of the advisory council on school finances, and require all accounts of the school districts, regional school districts, state schools, and charter schools to be kept in accordance therewith; provided, that in any case in which the uniform system of accounting is not practicable, the office of auditor general, in conjunction with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall determine the manner in which the accounts shall be kept. The uniform chart of accounts (UCOA) must allow for both school-to-school and school district-to-school district comparisons. The structure of the UCOA shall ensure that data is captured and presented by, at a minimum, position, program, and school location in order to facilitate such comparisons. The uniform system of accounting shall also include a standardized budget process to ensure districts can annually assess investment priorities and incorporate long-range planning.

(b) For the purpose of securing a uniform system of accounting and a chart of accounts the advisory council on school finances, as defined in § 16-2-9.3, may make such surveys of the operation of any school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school as they shall deem necessary.

(c) 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 department of elementary and secondary education-approved budget model that shall include a distinct line item for payments to charter schools and use best practices established by the department of elementary and secondary education for long-range planning, budget development, and budget administration and reporting.

(d) Commencing July 1, 2017, and on a continuing basis thereafter, each local education agency shall submit a budget-only file that conforms with UCOA requirements to the department of elementary and secondary education within 30 days of the city/town adoption of the budget.

(e) Using data from the uniform chart of accounts, on an annual basis, the department of elementary and secondary education shall publish on its website, and provide the general assembly with, a performance dashboard indicating the per-pupil expenditures of each public school and school district broken down by revenue sources and expenditure categories. Further, the department shall provide, within the same dashboard, student-performance indicators for each public school and school district.

(f) Commencing July 1, 2017, and on a continuing basis thereafter, each local education agency shall post the following information on its website, in a downloadable format, for free public access:

(1) The local education agencys annual budget, commencing with the budget for the 2017-18 budget year, that includes, at a minimum, information at the program and school levels;

(2) The local education agency shall post a link to the statewide website operated by the department of elementary and secondary education that will publish the school- and district-level budget only and UCOA expenditure data.

(3) Each local education agency shall update the information specified in subdivision (f)(1) within sixty (60) days after adoption and/or making any changes to the local education agencys budget, including any changes made to the budgets of an individual program or school.

(g) If any school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school fails to install and maintain the uniform system of accounting, including a chart of accounts and approved budget model, or fails to keep its accounts and interdepartmental records, or refuses or neglects to make the reports and to furnish the information in accordance with the method prescribed by the office of auditor general and the department of education, or hinders or prevents the examination of accounts and financial records, the auditor general and the commissioner of education, and/or their respective designee(s), shall make a report to the superintendent of schools of the local education agency, the school committee chairperson, the mayor or town manager, and the president of the town council, and/or for a charter school, to the board of trustees or directors, as applicable, in writing, specifying the nature and extent of the failure, refusal, neglect, hindrance, or prevention, and the commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to review the matter so reported. If the commissioner shall find that failure, refusal, neglect, hindrance, or prevention exists and that the school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school should properly comply in the matter so reported, the commissioner shall direct the school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school, in writing, to so comply. If the failure, refusal, neglect, hindrance, or prevention shall continue for a period of ten (10) days following the written direction, the commissioner may request the board of education for approval to withhold distribution of state aid to said school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school. The board shall hold a hearing and provide the subject school and/or district notice and an opportunity to be heard at said hearing. After hearing thereon, the board may authorize the commissioner to withhold the distribution of state aid to said school district, regional school district, state school, or charter school, if the board determines such sanction is appropriate.

(h) The department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the division of municipal finance, shall conduct periodic reviews and analysis of school revenues and expenses. The department shall also review and monitor compliance with the approved budget model and best practices. The department shall identify 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 shall be identified based on the periodic reviews, which may also include on-site visits and reporting in accordance with the provisions of § 45-12-22.2. Potential deficits shall be reported to the office of municipal finance, office of auditor general, superintendent, chairperson 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-107-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-107 / Section 16-107-8
§ 16-107-8. Rules and procedures.
Status: in_force

The council on postsecondary education is hereby authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and the community college of Rhode Island shall establish appeal procedures for the award, denial, or revocation of funding under the scholarship program. The rules shall be promulgated in accordance with § 16-59-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-4
§ 16-24-4. Transportation.
Status: in_force

The school committee of each city and town shall provide for the transportation to and from school either within the school district or in another school district of the state for any child who has a disability in accordance with the regulations of the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-33-2.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-33 / Section 16-33-2.1
§ 16-33-2.1. Additional powers of the President of the College.
Status: in_force

In addition to any powers granted to the president of Rhode Island College by law or regulation, and consistent with shared governance practices, in conformity with § 16-33-6, the president shall have the following additional powers and duties:

(a) To create and consolidate departments, divisions, programs, and courses of study within the college with the assistance of the commissioner of postsecondary education within the approved role and scope adopted by the council on postsecondary education pursuant to § 16-59-4. Any new or proposed eliminations of departments, divisions, programs or courses of study that are outside the role and scope approved by the council shall require the review and approval of the council on postsecondary education.

(b) To adopt a budget for the college and submit it to the council for postsecondary education for approval.

(c) To be responsible for the general management of property of the college.

(d) To recommend to the council on postsecondary education, after consultation with the commissioner of postsecondary, education tables of organization for the college.

(e) To submit to the office of postsecondary commissioner and to compile and analyze the following information for presentation to the council for postsecondary education and the board of education annually by May 1 the following:

(1) A detailed departmental breakdown of all faculty members employed at the college by rank (including all professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers, and instructors) and tenure (tenured and non-tenured, and other) and by race (African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian) and gender.

(2) A detailed report on current student enrollments for each class at the college by race and gender, by academic department, and by outreach program (e.g. talent development), guaranteed admissions program, and the current levels of funding and staff support for each of these programs.

(3) A report on the current status of the African and Afro-American studies programs at the college and a five (5) year budgetary history of the programs along with projections for budgetary support for the next two (2) years.

(4) A plan for recruitment of African American and Hispanic faculty into tenure track positions at the college with specific reference to and planned involvement with the New England higher educations minority faculty recruitment and development plan.

(5) Copies of the report shall be furnished to the council of postsecondary education and the board of education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-13 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-13
§ 16-24-13. Classes for children with disabilities in state residential facilities and institutions.
Status: in_force

Classes for children with disabilities as described in the regulations of the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall be provided for those children in all the state institutions and also in state operated and state supported facilities where children with disabilities reside subject to all regulations of the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-1.1
§ 16-21-1.1. Student registration for transportation.
Status: in_force

(a) The school committee of any city or town or regional school district in this state may maintain a registry of any students who will require busing during the school year.

(b) The students parents may register the names and addresses of students with the school district at the start of each school year.

(c) The school district of each city or town or regional school district may use the information in the registry to more cost-efficiently provide transportation to its pupils who it is responsible for transporting to school.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-96-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-96 / Section 16-96-4
§ 16-96-4. Teacher training.
Status: in_force

(a) Subject to appropriation, the state board of governors for higher education and the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education will work jointly to establish clear, specific, and challenging training guidelines that require teachers of advanced placement courses to obtain recognized advanced placement training endorsed by the college board.

(b) Advanced placement and pre-advanced placement training to teachers in Rhode Island high schools must 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 through 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-84-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-84 / Section 16-84-4
§ 16-84-4. Community College of Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

Subject to appropriation, the state of Rhode Island may contribute funds to the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation in an amount necessary to match private donations for the purposes listed below. Subject to appropriation, the state may contribute an amount not to exceed one dollar ($1.00) for every two dollars ($2.00) or one dollar ($1.00) for such greater dollars as may be established by the board of governors for higher education, privately contributed to the Community College of Rhode Island or the Community College of Rhode Island Foundation for the creation of new academic chairs, the support of existing academic chairs, other educational enhancements, and capital infrastructure investments; provided, that the maximum total contributions from the state to the Community College of Rhode Island shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000). Appropriations of Rhode Island capital plan funds shall be considered matching funds for the purposes of this section. Any contributions made to the Community College of Rhode Island College Foundation for these purposes shall be reported to the board of governors for higher education which shall verify their eligibility for this matching program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-77-5.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-77 / Section 16-77-5.1
§ 16-77-5.1. Oversight by commissioner.
Status: in_force

(a) Individuals or groups may complain to a charter public schools governing body concerning any claimed violation of the provisions of this chapter by the school. If, after presenting their complaint to the governing body, the individuals or groups believe their complaint has not been adequately addressed, they may submit their complaint to the commissioner who shall hear and decide the issue pursuant to §§16-39-1 and 16-39-2.

(b) Charter public school approval for establishment or continuation shall be for up to a five-year (5) period. In either case, council on elementary and secondary education approval is required.

(c) Local, written support shall be required for a proposed charter that is a network charter school as defined herein. Written support means a resolution or ordinance granted by the town or city council for each proposed sending district where the council considers the fiscal and educational welfare of the municipality and students after at least one public hearing.

(d) A charter public school, as defined in §16-77-2.1, shall be considered a network charter school if the charter public school encompasses, or will encompass, elementary and secondary schools or multiple elementary or multiple secondary schools.

(e) Charter public schools, as defined in §16-77-2.1(4) and authorized as of the effective date of this act [July 13, 2016], shall be exempt from subsection (c) of this section and shall not require local, written support under subsection (c) for any proposed expansion or charter renewal.

(f) A proposed charter, or amendment to a charter for expansion, may proceed through the approval process by removing districts that have not provided written support, in accordance with this section, from the catchment area and may be approved with the remaining districts in the catchment area, provided that the application satisfies the requirements of regulations and law.

However, the charter may be revoked at any time if the school:

(1) Materially violates provisions contained in the charter;

(2) Fails to meet or pursue the educational objectives contained in the charter;

(3) Fails to comply with fiscal accountability procedures as specified in the charter;

(4) Violates provisions of law that have not been granted variance by the council on elementary and secondary education; or

(5) After three (3) consecutive years of operation, is not a high-performing charter school, defined as a charter public 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 public school.

(g) After denying, or prior to non-renewing or revoking a charter, the department of elementary and secondary education will hold a hearing on the issues in controversy under §16-39-1.

(h) The establishment of new charter public schools shall be contingent upon state approval and appropriation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-86-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-86 / Section 16-86-1
§ 16-86-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The general assembly finds and declares as follows:

(1) There is a distinct shortage in Rhode Island of workers who are trained and certified to function in direct support of individuals with developmental and/or learning disabilities who have special needs.

(2) The Paul V. Sherlock Center for Disabilities was established in 1993 at Rhode Island College for the express purpose of supporting community membership for individuals with disabilities in school, work and society.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-8 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-8
§ 16-45-8. Temporary service to other regions.
Status: in_force

Any resident of the state being qualified shall, until a vocational school is in operation in the region in which he or she resides, be eligible to register at, receive instruction from, and be issued a certificate by the regional vocational school serving the inhabitants of the greater Providence area.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-34 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-34
§ 16-22-34. The basic education program.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the basic education program means a set of regulations promulgated by the council on elementary and secondary education pursuant to its delegated statutory authority to determine standards for the Rhode Island public education system and the maintenance of local appropriation to support its implementation under Rhode Island general laws.

(b) The basic education program (BEP) shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following basic elements:

(1) A standard for students who are English language learners; and

(2) Any other requirements set forth elsewhere in Rhode Island general laws or departmental regulations.

(c) By August 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the department of elementary and secondary education (the department) shall review BEP compliance of each local education agency (LEA) within the state. The department shall:

(1) Assess programmatic compliance with the BEP to ensure high-quality education is available to all public school students, regardless of where they reside or which school they attend;

(2) Determine the incremental cost to meet the BEP utilizing uniform chart of account (UCOA) data from the LEA and all LEAs statewide;

(3) Determine the sufficiency of both the state and the local education aid to the LEA to meet the BEP; and

(4) If a deficiency exists in the local education aid to the LEA to meet the BEP, the department shall consult with the department of revenue to issue a joint report to the general assembly on the feasibility of the municipality to raise sufficient funds to meet the BEP standard set in law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-40-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-40 / Section 16-40-5
§ 16-40-5. Revocation of approvals.
Status: in_force

The approval of the appropriate board as provided in this chapter may for proper cause in the discretion of the appropriate board be revoked, after hearing upon twenty (20) days notice of the time and place of the hearing given, and of the reasons for the proposed revocation, to any private academy, college, university, or other institution of education by service upon any officer of these, upon proof made at the hearing to the satisfaction of the appropriate board that the provisions of this chapter, or the regulations or standards for approval adopted by the appropriate board to implement this chapter, have been violated by the academy, college, university, or other institution of education, or by the officers of these.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-31 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-31
§ 16-32-31. Appropriations for geographic information system laboratory.
Status: in_force

The general assembly may annually appropriate any sum as it may deem necessary for maintaining the geographic information system laboratory within the department of natural resources sciences; and the state controller is authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum, or so much of the sum as may from time to time be required, upon receipt by the controller of properly authenticated vouchers.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-1
§ 16-21-1. Transportation of public and private school pupils.
Status: repealed

(a) The school committee of any town or city shall provide suitable transportation, that may include, but is not limited to, pupil transportation vehicles as defined in § 31-22.1-1, to and from school for pupils attending public and private schools of elementary and high school grades, except private schools that are operated for profit, who reside so far from the public or private school that the pupil attends as to make the pupils regular attendance at school impractical and for any pupil whose regular attendance would otherwise be impracticable on account of physical disability or infirmity.

(1) The school committee of any town or city using a pupil transportation vehicle as defined in § 31-22.1-1 shall comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, notwithstanding the provisions of § 31-22.1-3(6).

(b) For transportation provided to children enrolled in grades kindergarten through five (5), school bus monitors, other than the school bus driver, shall be required on all school-bound and home-bound routes. Variances to the requirement for a school bus monitor may be granted by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education if he or she finds that an alternative plan provides substantially equivalent safety for children. For the purposes of this section a school bus monitor means any person sixteen (16) years of age or older.

(c) No school committee shall negotiate, extend, or renew any transportation contract unless such contract enables the district to participate in the statewide transportation system, without penalty to the district, upon implementation of the statewide transportation system described in §§ 16-21.1-7 [repealed] and 16-21.1-8. Notice of the implementation of the statewide transportation system for in-district transportation shall be provided in writing by the department of elementary and secondary education to the superintendent of each district upon implementation. Upon implementation of the statewide system of transportation for all students, each school committee shall purchase transportation services for its own resident students by accessing the statewide system on a fee-for-service basis for each student; provided, however, that any school committee that fulfills its transportation obligations primarily through the use of district-owned buses or district employees may continue to do so. Variances to the requirement for the purchase of transportation services through the statewide transportation system for non-public and non-shared routes may be granted by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education if the commissioner finds that an alternative system is more cost effective. All fees paid for transportation services provided to students under the statewide system shall be paid into a statewide student transportation services restricted receipt account within the department of elementary and secondary education. Payments from the account shall be limited to payments to the transportation service provider and transportation system consultants. This restricted receipt account shall not be subject to the indirect cost recoveries provisions set forth in § 35-4-27.

(d) No school committee shall negotiate, extend, or renew any school transportation service contract unless the contract provides for payments to school bus drivers, attendants, monitors, and aides for one hundred and eighty (180) days or the length of the contracted-for school year, whichever is longer.

(e) With respect to any contract entered into under this section, a school committee or local education agency shall give a preference in contract and/or subcontract awards to the public transportation provider that uses electric buses to the greatest extent. This preference shall be given equal weight to any other preferences available to vendors.

(f) With respect to any contract entered into under this section, no school committee or local education agency (LEA) shall take any adverse disciplinary action against any school bus driver, attendant, monitor, or aide covered by a collective bargaining agreement prior to any investigation or action taken by the contracting entity as provided for in the collective bargaining agreement. Nor shall the school committee or LEA impose discipline in excess of what is provided for in the governing collective bargaining agreement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-38-7 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-38 / Section 16-38-7
§ 16-38-7. Interest of school official in sale of textbook.
Status: in_force

No superintendent or school committee of any city or town, or any person officially connected with the government or direction of the public schools, shall receive any private fee, gratuity, donation, or compensation in any manner for promoting the sale or the exchange of any school book, map, or chart in any public school, or be an agent for the sale or the publisher of any school textbook, or be directly or indirectly pecuniarily interested in the introduction of any school textbook; and any agency or interest shall disqualify any person acting or interested as described from holding any school office.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-3
§ 16-105-3. Roles and responsibilities.
Status: in_force

The school building authority roles and responsibilities shall include:

(1) Management of a system with the goal of ensuring equitable and adequate school housing for all public school children in the state;

(2) Prevention of the cost of school housing from interfering with the effective operation of the schools;

(3) Management of school housing aid in accordance with statute;

(4) Reviewing and making recommendations to the council on elementary and secondary education on necessity of school construction applications for state school housing aid and the school building authority capital fund, based on the recommendations of the school building authority advisory board;

(5) Promulgating, managing, and maintaining school construction regulations, standards, and guidelines applicable to the school housing program, based on the recommendations of the school building authority advisory board, created in § 16-105-8. Said regulations shall require conformance with the minority business enterprise requirements set forth in § 37-14.1-6;

(6) Developing a prequalification and review process for prime contractors, architects, and engineers seeking to bid on projects in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in total costs subject to inflation. Notwithstanding any general laws to the contrary, a prequalification shall be valid for a maximum of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Factors to be considered by the school building authority in granting a prequalification to prime contractors shall include, but not be limited to, the contractors history of completing complex projects on time and on budget, track record of compliance with applicable environmental and safety regulations, evidence that completed prior projects prioritized the facilitys future maintainability, and compliance with applicable requirements for the use of women and minority owned subcontractors;

(i) At least annually, a list of prequalified contractors, architects, and engineers shall be publicly posted with all other program information;

(7) Providing technical assistance and guidance to school districts on the necessity of school construction application process;

(8) Providing technical advice and assistance, training, and education to cities, towns, and/or local education agencies and to general contractors, subcontractors, construction or project managers, designers and others in planning, maintenance, and establishment of school facility space;

(9) Developing a project priority system, based on the recommendations of the school building authority advisory board, in accordance with school construction regulations for the school building authority capital fund, subject to review and, if necessary, to be revised on intervals not to exceed five (5) years. Project priorities shall include, but not be limited to, the following order of priorities:

(i) Projects to replace or renovate a building that is structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children where no alternative exists;

(ii) Projects needed to prevent loss of accreditation;

(iii) Projects needed for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of the HVAC system in any schoolhouse to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs in said schoolhouse;

(iv) Projects needed to replace or add to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements; and

(v) Projects needed to comply with mandatory, instructional programs;

(10) Maintaining a current list of requested school projects and the priority given them;

(11) Collecting and maintaining readily available data on all the public school facilities in the state;

(12) Collecting, maintaining, and making publicly available quarterly progress reports of all ongoing school construction projects that shall include, at a minimum, the costs of the project and the time schedule of the project;

(13) Recommending policies and procedures designed to reduce borrowing for school construction programs at both state and local levels;

(14) At least every five (5) years, conducting a needs survey to ascertain the capital construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and other capital needs for schools in each district of the state, including public charter schools;

(15) Developing a formal enrollment projection model or using projection models already available;

(16) Encouraging local education agencies to investigate opportunities for the maximum utilization of space in and around the district;

(17) Collecting and maintaining a clearinghouse of prototypical school plans that may be consulted by eligible applicants;

(18) Retaining the services of consultants, as necessary, to effectuate the roles and responsibilities listed within this section;

(19) No district shall receive a combined total of more than twenty (20) incentive percentage points for projects that commence construction by December 30, 2023, and five (5) incentive points for projects that commence construction thereafter; provided further, these caps shall be in addition to amounts received under §§ 16-7-40(a)(1) and 16-7-40(a)(2). Furthermore, a districts share shall not be decreased by more than half of its regular share irrespective of the number of incentive points received, nor shall a districts state share increase by more than half of its regular share, including amounts received under §§ 16-7-40(a)(1) and 16-7-40(a)(2), irrespective of the number of incentive points received. Notwithstanding any provision of the general laws to the contrary, the reimbursement or aid received under this chapter or chapter 38.2 of title 45 shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the sum of the total project costs plus interest costs. If a two hundred and fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot, projects approved between May 1, 2015, and January 1, 2018, are eligible to receive incentive points (above and beyond what the project was awarded at the time of approval) pursuant to § 16-7-39 and § 16-7-40. Provided, however, any project approved during this time period with a project cost in excess of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000), which does not include an owners program manager and a commissioning agent, shall only be eligible to receive five (5) incentive points. Incentive points awarded pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall only be applied to reimbursements occurring on or after July 1, 2018. Any project approved between May 1, 2015, and January 1, 2018, that is withdrawn and/or resubmitted for approval shall not be eligible for any incentive points.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-44-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-44 / Section 16-44-5
§ 16-44-5. Blackstone Valley Community College.
Status: in_force

The board of governors for higher education is hereby authorized and empowered to establish an institution to be known as Blackstone Valley Community College, and the board is authorized to enroll students in the college.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-32-2.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-32 / Section 16-32-2.2
§ 16-32-2.2. Appointment and removal of the board of trustees.
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a board of trustees for the university of Rhode Island consisting of seventeen (17) members. The governor shall appoint the initial members, with the advice and consent of the senate, to serve on the board of trustees, until the expiration of their term and their successor is appointed. In making these appointments the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations from the president of the university of Rhode Island and at least three (3) of those members appointed by the governor shall be residents of the state of Rhode Island, at least one of those members shall be selected from a list of names of at least five (5) individuals submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives, and at least one of those members shall be selected from a list of names of at least five (5) individuals submitted by the president of the senate. In addition, the president of the university of Rhode Island shall appoint one faculty member and one student member who shall be a full-time student in good standing at the university and who shall both serve in a non-voting, ex officio capacity for a single two-year (2) term. The president of the university of Rhode Island, the chair of the board of education, and the chair of the council on postsecondary education shall serve in a non-voting, ex-officio capacity on the board of trustees. Six (6) of the members initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of three (3) years; seven (7) members initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of two (2) years, including the member appointed from the list submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives and the member appointed from the list submitted by the president of the senate; and, four (4) members initially appointed pursuant to this section shall serve terms of one year. A majority of voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority of those present and voting shall be required for action.

(b) After the initial terms of appointment have expired, the governor shall appoint seventeen (17) members with the advice and consent of the senate to serve as members of the board of trustees. In making these appointments the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations from the president of the university and the chair of the board of trustees of the university of Rhode Island and at least three (3) of those members appointed by the governor shall be residents of the state of Rhode Island, at least one of those members shall be selected after due consideration of a list of names of at least five (5) individuals submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives, and at least one of those members shall be selected after due consideration of a list of names of at least five (5) individuals submitted by the president of the senate. All members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years and shall be eligible for reappointment. In addition, the president of the university of Rhode Island shall appoint one faculty member and one student member who shall be a full-time student in good standing at the university and who shall both serve in a non-voting, ex officio capacity. The faculty member shall serve for a single two-year (2) term. The student member shall serve for up to two (2) one-year terms. The president of the university of Rhode Island, the chair of the board of education, and the chair of the council on postsecondary education shall serve in a non-voting, ex officio capacity on the board of trustees.

(c) A majority of the board shall elect the chair of the board from among the seventeen (17) voting board members pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the board establishing the procedure for electing a chair.

(d) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful. In making decisions to remove a member, the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations from the chair of the board of trustees of the university of Rhode Island. No removal shall be made for any cause except after ten (10) days notice in writing of specific charges, with opportunity for the member to be present in person and with counsel at a public hearing before the appointing authority, to introduce witnesses and documentary evidence in the members own defense, and to confront and cross-examine adversary witnesses; and appeal shall lie to the superior court from the governors determination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-9.3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-9.3
§ 16-2-9.3. The advisory council on school finances.
Status: in_force

(a) The legislature hereby finds and declares that there is a need for an advisory council on school finances to strengthen the fiscal accountability of school districts, regional school districts, state schools and charter schools in Rhode Island. The council shall be composed of five (5) members as follows:

(1) The auditor general of the state of Rhode Island or his or her designee;

(2) The executive director of the Rhode Island association of school committees or his or her designee;

(3) The president of the Rhode Island association of school business officials or his or her designee;

(4) The commissioner of elementary and secondary education or his or her designee; and

(5) The director of the department of administration or his or her designee. The auditor general or his or her designee shall serve as chair of the council. By July 1, 2005, the council shall develop recommendations for a uniform system of accounting, including a chart of accounts for all school districts, regional school districts, state schools and charter schools. By July 1, 2009 the council shall develop recommendations for a uniform system of accounting for all educational regional collaboratives identified in chapter 16-3.1. Said recommendations shall be advisory in nature and may be adopted by the office of auditor general and the department of elementary and secondary education in part or in whole.

(b) The council shall meet no less than annually and recommend changes in accounting procedures to be adopted by school districts, regional school districts, state schools and charter schools as well as apprise school business officials, charter school officials, school committees and school superintendents, school administrators and state school officials about professional development opportunities that promotes sound fiscal practices and a knowledge of current state and federal rules and regulations regarding school finance. The council shall also report, annually, its activities and recommendations to the house committee on education accountability, the senate committee on education and the office of the governor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-37 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-37
§ 16-21-37. Water bottle filling stations in new and renovated schools.
Status: in_force

(a) The state of Rhode Island finds and declares that:

(1) Water plays an important role in maintaining a childs overall health;

(2) Drinking water can positively impact childrens cognitive performance;

(3) Drinking water can improve childrens fine motor skills and visual attention, which helps with learning activities, such as reading;

(4) Drinking water can help people maintain a healthier weight.

(b) The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all newly constructed schools and those schools undergoing major building renovations incorporate adequate water bottle filling stations to increase access to free, easily accessible, safe, and good-tasting drinking water on school property.

(c) Major renovations shall mean renovations with a total estimated cost of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or more, or involving the substantial repair, replacement, or upgrading of the plumbing system or plumbing fixtures.

(d) All newly constructed public school buildings and public school buildings undergoing major renovations, such as additions, within the state of Rhode Island shall be equipped with water bottle filling stations consistent with the requirements of this policy.

(e) The school committees of each city or town and/or the governing authority overseeing school policies or construction shall not approve the plans or specifications for a new public school building, any addition, or major renovations of an existing public school building unless the plans and specifications provide for the following:

(1) A minimum of one water bottle filling station per one hundred (100) people projected to occupy the building upon completion of the proposed construction;

(2) A minimum of one water bottle filling station on each floor and on each wing of each school building;

(3) A minimum of one water bottle filling station located in or near gymnasiums, cafeterias, and other high-traffic areas;

(4) Water bottle filling stations may be integrated into drinking fountains; and

(5) Schools are encouraged to install touchless water bottle filling stations for sanitary reasons.

(f) A water bottle filling station installed in a public school building must:

(1) Dispense clean, cooled, filtered drinking water;

(2) Be regularly cleaned to maintain sanitary conditions; and

(3) Be maintained on a regular basis to ensure it functions properly.

(g) Students, teachers, and staff shall be allowed to bring and carry approved water bottles under the following conditions:

(1) Water bottles shall be made of material that is not easily breakable;

(2) Water bottles shall have a lid to prevent spills;

(3) Water bottles shall be used exclusively for water and no other beverage;

(4) Water bottles shall be allowed in classrooms, but may be excluded from libraries, computer labs, science labs, and other places where it is deemed dangerous to have drinking water;

(5) Misuse of water bottles may be subject to disciplinary action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-73-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-73 / Section 16-73-1
§ 16-73-1. Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

It is found and declared that:

(1) All children are capable of success and schools are the centers of vibrant communities. The growing social needs of children directly affect their ability to perform successfully in school because health, emotional, social, and family problems can impede learning.

(2) Schools are most effective when families take active roles in the education of children. Community schools are in a unique position to provide the vital links between education, social services, and health care to children and their families.

(3) It is important that schools be assisted in fulfilling the critical function of coordinating the delivery of comprehensive social services at or near the site of public schools to address the particular needs of each school community.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-89-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-89 / Section 16-89-3
§ 16-89-3. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is:

(1) To enable and allow school districts, school departments, and school committees to accept grants, gifts and donations from any private individual, public or private business entity, any government or governmental subdivision thereof, including quasi-public agencies; and

(2) To restrict the expenditure of such grants, gifts and donations to a specific school district, school department, or school committee programming or a facility related need as specified according to the terms of the gift, grant or donation as conditioned by the grantor, giftor or donor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-105-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-105 / Section 16-105-6
§ 16-105-6. Inspection of approved projects.
Status: in_force

For any approved project, the school building authority shall have the authority to inspect the construction and operation thereof to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-31 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-31
§ 16-22-31. Curriculum frameworks.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The council on elementary and secondary education (the council) shall direct the commissioner of elementary and secondary education (the commissioner) to institute a process to develop curriculum frameworks for mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts. This process shall:

(i) Be open and consultative;

(ii) Include, but need not be limited to, a culturally and racially diverse group of classroom teachers and students; and

(iii) Include, but need not be limited to, reviewing and revising current frameworks, as well as developing new ones, if deemed appropriate.

(2) The process may include, but need not be limited to, community groups, cultural organizations, parents, teacher preparation programs, and leading college and university figures in both subject matter disciplines and pedagogy.

(b) The commissioner shall develop the curriculum frameworks pursuant to this section by no later than September 1, 2021, and again as required by the councils procedures set forth in subsection (e) of this section. The curriculum frameworks developed by the commissioner shall:

(1) Present broad, research-based pedagogical approaches and strategies to assist students develop the skills, competencies, and knowledge called for by the statewide standards provided in §16-22-30;

(2) Provide sufficient detail to guide and inform processes for the education, professional development, certification, and evaluation of both active and aspiring teachers and administrators;

(3) Provide sufficient detail to guide the implementation of student assessment instruments;

(4) Be constructed to guide and assist teachers, administrators, publishers, software developers, and other interested parties in the development and selection of curricula, textbooks, technology, and other instructional materials, and in the design of pedagogical approaches and strategies for use in elementary, secondary, and career and technical schools;

(5) Be aligned with the states commitment to college and career readiness;

(6) Encourage demanding real-world application, multidisciplinary problem solving, integration of academic and career and technical education curriculum, project-based learning, performance assessment, team teaching, and alignment of classroom instruction with work-based learning opportunities;

(7) Promote better alignment with postsecondary curriculum and instruction, including, but not limited to, the expansion and/or use of dual enrollment and dual credit opportunities for high school students that help them with the postsecondary transition, persistence, and attainment of a credential;

(8) Encourage capstone projects and associated performance assessments that provide students the opportunity to demonstrate holistic proficiency with respect to research, cross-disciplinary problem solving, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and oral defense;

(9) Present specific, pedagogical approaches and strategies to meet the academic and nonacademic needs of English learner, economically disadvantaged, special education, and academically advanced students;

(10) Be designed to avoid perpetuating gender, cultural, ethnic, or racial stereotypes;

(11) Reflect sensitivity to different learning styles;

(12) Reflect sensitivity to impediments to learning, which may include issues related to, but not limited to, cultural, financial, emotional, health, and social factors; and

(13) Be in a form readily comprehensible by the general public.

(c) The commissioner shall submit a copy of the frameworks to the council for approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the frameworks taking effect.

(d) Upon approval, the council shall make the frameworks available to the public.

(e) The council shall develop procedures for updating, improving, or refining curriculum frameworks pursuant to this section by no later than September 1, 2021. The procedures shall include a requirement that the council review and evaluate the frameworks regularly to ensure that the high quality of the frameworks is maintained. The review cycle shall begin in 2025, with subsequent reviews taking place in 2029, 2033, and every four (4) years thereafter.

(f) On or before December 1, 2020, and annually thereafter on or before December 1, the commissioner shall report to the governor, president of the senate, and the speaker of the house, regarding the curriculum frameworks developed and reviewed pursuant to this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-22.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-22.1
§ 16-16-22.1. City or town payment of teacher member contributions.
Status: in_force

(a) Each city or town, pursuant to the provisions of § 414(h)(2) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 414(h)(2), may, pursuant to appropriate local action by the city or town, pick up and pay the contributions that would be payable by the employees as teacher members under § 16-16-22. The contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions picked up pursuant to this section shall be treated and identified as teacher member contributions for all purposes of the retirement system except as specifically provided to the contrary in this section.

(b) Teacher member contributions picked up by a city or town shall be paid from the same source of funds used for the payment of compensation to a teacher member. A deduction shall be made from a teacher members compensation equal to the amount of his or her contributions picked up by his or her city or town employer. This deduction, however, shall not reduce his or her compensation for purposes of computing benefits under the retirement system pursuant to this chapter or chapter 10 of title 36. Picked up contributions shall be transmitted to the retirement system in accordance with the provisions of § 16-16-22 and § 36-10-1 on the date contributions are withheld but no later than three (3) business days following the pay period ending in which contributions were withheld.

(c) Every employer is required to deduct and withhold member contributions and to transmit same to the retirement system and is hereby made liable for the contribution. In addition, any amount of employee contributions actually deducted and withheld shall be deemed to be a special fund in trust for the benefit of the member and shall be transmitted to the retirement system as set forth herein.

(d) The liability of an employer who fails to segregate these trust funds, or refuses to deduct and withhold member contributions from its employees, is enforceable by the retirement board through an appropriate action in the superior court. The general treasurer is also authorized to deduct the amount due from any money due the employer from the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-40 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-40
§ 16-16-40. Additional benefits payable to retired teachers.
Status: in_force

(a) All teachers and all beneficiaries of teachers receiving any service retirement or ordinary or accidental disability retirement allowance pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and chapter 17 of this title, on or before December 31, 1967, shall receive a cost of living retirement adjustment equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) per year of the original retirement allowance, not compounded, for each year the retirement allowance has been in effect. For purposes of computation credit shall be given for a full calendar year regardless of the effective date of the retirement allowance. This cost of living retirement adjustment shall be added to the amount of the service retirement allowance as of January 1, 1970, and payment shall begin as of July 1, 1970. An additional cost of living retirement adjustment shall be added to the original retirement allowance equal to three percent (3%) of the original retirement allowance on the first day of January, 1971, and each year thereafter through December 31, 1980.

(b) All teachers and beneficiaries of teachers receiving any service retirement or ordinary disability retirement allowance pursuant to the provisions of this title who retired on or after January 1, 1968, shall, on the first day of January, next following the third (3rd) year on retirement, receive a cost of living adjustment, in addition to their retirement allowance, an amount equal to three percent (3%) of the original retirement allowance. In each succeeding year thereafter, on the first day of January, the retirement allowance shall be increased an additional three percent (3%) of the original retirement allowance, not compounded, to be continued through December 31, 1980.

(c)(1) Beginning on January 1, 1981, for all teachers and beneficiaries of teachers receiving any service retirement and all teachers and all beneficiaries of teachers who have completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service on or before July 1, 2005, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, and for all teachers and beneficiaries of teachers who receive a disability retirement allowance pursuant to §§ 16-16-14  16-16-17, the cost of living adjustment shall be computed and paid at the rate of three percent (3%) of the original retirement allowance or the retirement allowance as computed in accordance with § 16-16-40.1, compounded annually from the year for which the cost of living adjustment was determined to be payable by the retirement board pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section. Such cost of living adjustments are available to teachers who retire before October 1, 2009, or are eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009.

(2) The provisions of this subsection shall be deemed to apply prospectively only and no retroactive payment shall be made.

(3) The retirement allowance of all teachers and all beneficiaries of teachers who have not completed at least ten (10) years of contributory service on or before July 1, 2005, or were not eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, shall, on the month following the third anniversary date of the retirement, and on the month following the anniversary date of each succeeding year be adjusted and computed by multiplying the retirement allowance by three percent (3%) or the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics, determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year, whichever is less; the cost of living adjustment shall be compounded annually from the year for which the cost of living adjustment was determined payable by the retirement board; provided, that no adjustment shall cause any retirement allowance to be decreased from the retirement allowance provided immediately before such adjustment.

(d) For teachers not eligible to retire in accordance with this chapter as of September 30, 2009, and not eligible upon passage of this article, and for their beneficiaries, the cost of living adjustment described in subsection (c)(3) of this section shall only apply to the first thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) of retirement allowance, indexed annually, and shall commence upon the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of retirement or when the retiree reaches age sixty-five (65), whichever is later. The thirty-five thousand dollar ($35,000) limit shall increase annually by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year or three percent (3%), whichever is less. The first thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000), as indexed, of retirement allowance shall be multiplied by the percentage of increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the United States Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year or three percent (3%), whichever is less, on the month following the anniversary date of each succeeding year. For teachers eligible to retire as of September 30, 2009, or eligible upon passage of this article, and for their beneficiaries, the provisions of this subsection (d) shall not apply.

(e) The provisions of §§ 45-13-7  45-13-10 shall not apply to this section.

(f) This subsection (f) shall be effective for the period July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015.

(1) Notwithstanding the prior paragraphs of this section, and subject to subsection (f)(2) below, for all present and former teachers, active and retired teachers, and beneficiaries receiving any retirement, disability or death allowance or benefit of any kind, the annual benefit adjustment provided in any calendar year under this section shall be equal to (A) multiplied by (B) where (A) is equal to the percentage determined by subtracting five and one-half percent (5.5%) (the subtrahend) from the Five-Year Average Investment Return of the retirement system determined as of the last day of the plan year preceding the calendar year in which the adjustment is granted, said percentage not to exceed four percent (4%) and not to be less than zero percent (0%), and (B) is equal to the lesser of the teachers retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of retirement allowance, such twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) amount to be indexed annually in the same percentage as determined under (f)(1)(A) above. The Five-Year Average Investment Return shall mean the average of the investment returns of the most recent five (5) plan years as determined by the retirement board. Subject to subsection (f)(2) below, the benefit adjustment provided by this subsection (f)(1) shall commence upon the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of retirement or the date on which the retiree reaches their Social Security retirement age, whichever is later. In the event the retirement board adjusts the actuarially assumed rate of return for the system, either upward or downward, the subtrahend shall be adjusted either upward or downward in the same amount.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (f)(3), the benefit adjustments under this section for any plan year shall be suspended in their entirety unless the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%) in which event the benefit adjustment will be reinstated for all teachers for such plan year.

In determining whether a funding level under this subsection (f)(2) has been achieved, the actuary shall calculate the funding percentage after taking into account the reinstatement of any current or future benefit adjustment provided under this section.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (f)(2), in each fifth plan year commencing after June 30, 2012, commencing with the plan year ending June 30, 2017, and subsequently at intervals of five plan years, a benefit adjustment shall be calculated and made in accordance with subsection (f)(1) above until the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%).

(4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this subsection (f) shall become effective July 1, 2012, and shall apply to any benefit adjustments not granted on or prior to June 30, 2012.

(g) This subsection (g) shall become effective July 1, 2015.

(1)(A) As soon as administratively reasonable following the enactment into law of this subsection (g)(1)(A), a one-time benefit adjustment shall be provided to teachers and/or beneficiaries of teachers who retired on or before June 30, 2012, in the amount of two percent (2%) of the lesser of either the teachers retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of the teachers retirement allowance. This one-time benefit adjustment shall be provided without regard to the retirees age or number of years since retirement.

(B) Notwithstanding the prior subsections of this section, for all present and former teachers, active and retired teachers, and beneficiaries receiving any retirement, disability, or death allowance or benefit of any kind, the annual benefit adjustment provided in any calendar year under this section for adjustments on and after January 1, 2016, and subject to subsection (g)(2) below, shall be equal to (I) multiplied by (II):

(I) shall equal the sum of fifty percent (50%) of (i) plus fifty percent (50%) of (ii) where:

(i) is equal to the percentage determined by subtracting five and one-half percent (5.5%) (the subtrahend) from the five-year average investment return of the retirement system determined as of the last day of the plan year preceding the calendar year in which the adjustment is granted, said percentage not to exceed four percent (4%) and not to be less than zero percent (0%). The five-year average investment return shall mean the average of the investment returns of the most recent five (5) plan years as determined by the retirement board. In the event the retirement board adjusts the actuarially assumed rate of return for the system, either upward or downward, the subtrahend shall be adjusted either upward or downward in the same amount.

(ii) is equal to the lesser of three percent (3%) or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) as published by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics determined as of September 30 of the prior calendar year.

In no event shall the sum of (i) plus (ii) exceed three and one-half percent (3.5%) or be less than (0%) percent.

(II) is equal to the lesser of either the teachers retirement allowance or the first twenty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars ($25,855) of retirement allowance, such amount to be indexed annually in the same percentage as determined under subsection (g)(1)(B)(I) above.

The benefit adjustments provided by this subsection (g)(1)(B) shall be provided to all retirees entitled to receive a benefit adjustment as of June 30, 2012, under the law then in effect, and for all other retirees the benefit adjustments shall commence upon the third anniversary of the date of retirement or the date on which the retiree reaches his or her Social Security retirement age, whichever is later.

(2) Except for teachers and/or beneficiaries of teachers who retired on or before June 30, 2012, the benefit adjustments under subsection (g)(1)(B) for any plan year shall be reduced to twenty-five percent (25%) of the benefit adjustment unless the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%) in which event the benefit adjustment will be reinstated for all teachers for such plan year. Effective July 1, 2024, the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, of exceeding eighty percent (80%) for the benefit adjustment to be reinstated for all teachers for such plan year shall be replaced with seventy-five percent (75%).

In determining whether a funding level under this subsection (g)(2) has been achieved, the actuary shall calculate the funding percentage after taking into account the reinstatement of any current or future benefit adjustment provided under this section.

(3) Effective for teachers and/or beneficiaries of teachers who retired after June 30, 2012, or on or before June 30, 2015, the dollar amount in subsection (g)(1)(B)(II) of twenty-five thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars ($25,855) shall be replaced with thirty-one thousand and twenty-six dollars ($31,026) until the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, exceeds eighty percent (80%). Effective July 1, 2024, the funded ratio of the employees retirement system of Rhode Island, the judicial retirement benefits trust, and the state police retirement benefits trust, calculated by the systems actuary on an aggregate basis, of exceeding eighty percent (80%) shall be replaced with seventy-five percent (75%).

(4) Effective for teachers and/or beneficiaries of teachers who have retired on or before July 1, 2015, a one-time stipend of five hundred dollars ($500) shall be payable within sixty (60) days following the enactment of the legislation implementing this provision, and a second one-time stipend of five hundred dollars ($500) in the same month of the following year. These stipends shall be payable to all retired teachers or beneficiaries receiving a benefit as of the applicable payment date and shall not be considered cost of living adjustments under the prior provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-11 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-11
§ 16-2-11. General powers and duties of superintendent.
Status: in_force

(a) The superintendent of schools employed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall, under the direction of the school committee, have the care and supervision of the public schools and shall be the chief administrative agent of the school committee. The superintendent shall have any duties as are defined in this section and in this title and any other duties as may be determined by the school committee, and shall perform any other duties as may be vested in him or her by law. In addition to the care and supervision of public schools and the appointment of employees of the district, it shall be the duty of the superintendent:

(1) To implement policies established by the school committee.

(2) To recommend educational plans, policies, and programs to meet the needs of the district.

(3) To recommend policies governing curriculum, courses of instruction, textbooks, and transportation of students.

(4) To comply with provisions of federal and state law and local charter provisions and ordinances.

(5) To have administrative responsibility for the school system.

(6) To appoint principals for each public school within the district at levels of compensation determined in accordance with policies established by the school committee.

(7) To appoint administrators and other personnel not assigned to individual schools. Also, to appoint, at the recommendation of the principal, personnel at individual schools in accordance with policies established by school district policies and collective bargaining agreements.

(8) To oversee the personnel function of the school department consistent with personnel standards, policies, and the table of organization established by the school committee.

(9) To provide for the evaluation of department personnel appointed by the superintendent.

(10) To prepare a school budget for consideration by the school committee.

(11) To authorize purchases consistent with the adopted school budget, policies and directives of the school committee, and applicable municipal policies, ordinances, and charter provisions.

(12) To be responsible for keeping the records of the school system.

(13) To report to the school committee on a regular basis the financial condition of the school system.

(14) To oversee discipline in the school system.

(15) To evaluate all schools within the school system and to report to the school committee the conformity with regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education and the policies, programs, and directives of the school committee.

(16) To report to the school committee on the operation of the school system, including an annual report on the districts progress.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or interfere with the rights of teachers and other school employees to collectively bargain pursuant to chapters 9.3 and 9.4 of title 28, or to allow any school superintendent to abrogate any agreement reached by collective bargaining.

(c) If at any time during the fiscal year the superintendent of schools determines, or is notified by the city or town chief charter officer or treasurer, that the estimated school expenses may exceed all revenue appropriated by the state or city or town or otherwise for public schools in the city or town, the superintendent of schools shall recommend to the school committee and shall, in order to provide for continuous regular public school operations consistent with the requirements of § 16-2-2 without regard to financial conditions, subsequently report to the city or town treasurer and chief charter officer what action will be taken to prevent an excess of expenditures, encumbrances, and accruals over revenues for public schools in the city or town.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-10 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-24 / Section 16-24-10
§ 16-24-10. Arrangements by cities and towns having small numbers of minors with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Status: in_force

Each city and town that contains fewer than eight (8) minors with intellectual or developmental disabilities may contract with another city or town for the education of the minors or may establish a special class pursuant to the previous provision with the consent of the board of regents for elementary and secondary education. In the event that a city or town does not establish a class for fewer than eight (8) minors with intellectual or developmental disabilities or contract with another city or town, then the city or town shall contract with a suitable day school for instruction adapted to the mental attainments of the minors; provided that the day schools shall be subject to the regulations and supervision of the state board of regents for elementary and secondary education.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-1-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-1 / Section 16-1-5
§ 16-1-5. Duties of commissioner of elementary and secondary education.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education:

(1) To carry out the policies and program formulated by the council on elementary and secondary education.

(2) To evaluate credentials of applicants for certificates, to verify that the certification of teachers is in accordance with law and established standards, and to issue certificates at the direction of the board.

(3) To certify the approval of accredited schools.

(4) To recommend to the board an outline of the subjects and courses of study and the instructional standards for elementary and secondary schools.

(5) To approve the distribution of state school funds in accordance with law and the regulations of the board.

(6) To verify that school sites and school building plans are in accordance with law and regulations.

(7) To exercise supervision over school libraries and library services.

(8) To certify that school bus routes and schedules and all contracts for pupil transportation conform with provisions of law and the rules and regulations of the board.

(9) To require the observance of all laws relating to schools and education.

(10) To interpret school law and to decide such controversies as may be appealed to the commissioner from decisions of local school committees.

(11) To prepare and recommend standard forms for the use of local schools.

(12)(i) To prepare, with the assistance of the department of administration, manuals of uniform budgetary and standard financial records and procedures for local school officers. The board of regents shall adopt uniform local school budgeting procedures no later than July 1, 1989, and those procedures should include, at a minimum, the following:

(A) Provision for uniform classification of revenues and expenditures;

(B) Requirements of detailed expenditure estimates and a table of organization including the proposed staffing of each school;

(C) Estimates of receipts and expenditures for the last two (2) completed fiscal years, the current and ensuing fiscal years; and

(ii) To carry out the purpose of this subsection a sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) not otherwise appropriated shall be included in the appropriation made to support the department of elementary and secondary education.

(13) To receive general supervision from the council on elementary and secondary education and to appoint the several officers and employees of the department subject to the provisions of the state merit system act, chapters 3 and 4 of title 36.

(14) To establish health education, alcohol and substance abuse programs for students in grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12), in accordance with §35-4-18. The program will consist of the following: A mandated state health education, alcohol and substance abuse curriculum for grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12), a mandated assessment program in the areas of health, fitness, alcohol and substance abuse, and an in-service training program that will be developed specifically for the implementation of the mandated curriculum.

(15)(i) To appoint a three-member (3) committee for the purpose of choosing a teacher of the year among teachers in public school grades kindergarten (K) through twelve (12). The teacher of the year shall receive an award of one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(ii) It is the intent of the general assembly that the funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this subdivision shall be provided within the annual appropriations act.

(16) To institute a process to review, revise, and adopt statewide academic standards that align with state assessments for the core subjects of mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts.

(17) To institute a process for adapting, adopting, and developing curriculum frameworks for mathematics, English language arts, science and technology, history and social studies, world languages, and the arts covered by the academic standards.

(18) To institute a process for reviewing and identifying high-quality curriculum and materials in mathematics, English language arts, and science and technology.

(19) To prepare each year a plan for providing statewide assistance in the preparation and implementation of professional development plans.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-45-6.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-45 / Section 16-45-6.1
§ 16-45-6.1. Career and technical education.
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly finds that career and technical education (CTE) programs that meet the CTE board of trustees industry developed standards prepare Rhode Islands students to succeed in a wide variety of employment settings are a critical component of the states public education system and a necessary element of the states economic development. CTE programs that meet the CTE board of trustees standards are located in the regional career and technical education centers and comprehensive high schools and are helping students graduate high school with the skills to secure a job with a family-sustaining wage.

(b) The general assembly further finds that the proportion of students now enrolled in such programs is inadequate to meet the needs of Rhode Islands growing economy. Rhode Islands employers are best positioned to assist in establishing a high-quality system of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education. To assist in the development of a high-quality system of CTE, the CTE board of trustees shall review and annually provide recommendations to the board of education regarding issues impacting secondary and postsecondary career and technical education, including, but not limited to, program quality, industry alignment, the effective use of state and federal CTE funding, the allocation of CTE funding, and expenditures of CTE funding, program outcomes, work-based learning, transportation, and graduation requirements. The report and recommendations shall be provided to the board of education no later than October 15 of each year.

(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 278, § 1 and P.L. 2021, ch. 279, § 1.]

(d)(1) To sustain and advance the economic development of our communities, all students retain the right to enroll in a state approved career and technical education program approved by the CTE board of trustees in communities outside their community of residence. This right does not apply to locally developed CTE programs, locally approved CTE programs, pathway programs, or other programs that are not approved by the CTE board of trustees. Students shall have a right to request enrollment and to enroll in a CTE board of trustees approved program outside of their community of residence when a substantially similar or same (substantially similar) CTE board of trustees approved program is not offered within their community of residence.

(2) In determining whether two programs are substantially similar, the CTE board of trustees shall consider the following factors:

(i) Program type;

(ii) Information on the occupation that the student will be prepared for;

(iii) The credentials the student will earn;

(iv) The type of work-based learning that the student will be provided access to;

(v) The ability to access advanced course experiences; and

(vi) Such additional factors as the CTE board of trustees deem to be relevant, including postsecondary attainment, industry partnerships and advisory boards, and program quality.

(3) Effective January 15, 2022, and every year thereafter, the CTE board of trustees and the department of elementary and secondary education shall publish a detailed list of substantially similar CTE programs for the upcoming school year. The list will be used to support students and their families in accessing CTE board of trustees approved career and technical education programs. There will be a thirty-day (30) period for schools and districts to appeal the substantially similar designation to the board of education.

(4) Students enrolled in, accepted to, or attending a state CTE board-approved program (the program of choice) prior to January 1, 2022, which program is outside of their home district but is considered to be substantially similar to a program in their home district, shall be allowed to remain enrolled in that program of choice as set forth in subsection (j) of this section.

(e) Students may request access to state CTE board-approved career preparation programs outside their school district if their home district does not provide a substantially similar state-approved CTE program. If a discrepancy exists as to whether two (2) state-approved programs are substantially similar, the state CTE board shall use state CTE board program quality criteria set forth in subsection (d) of this section to determine if the two (2) state CTE board-approved programs are substantially similar programs. The decision of the CTE board shall be final.

(f)(1) A students request to enroll in an out of district state CTE board-approved career and technical program shall not be denied, provided that:

(i) A substantially similar program is not available in the students home district;

(ii) The student meets any other criteria required of all students for admission to the out of district program and the center; and

(iii) When there is more than one recognized CTE program in a transportation region, the student is applying to the center that is geographically the closest program to the students residence.

(g)(1) Students requesting access to state CTE board-approved career preparation programs outside their established school transportation region may enroll in such programs that are not substantially similar to a program in their home district. In such event, with respect to transportation costs, the residents local education agency shall only be responsible for paying the resident districts average per pupil expenditure for student transportation for all students in the district. The receiving district shall pay any remaining balance due for transportation costs associated with the particular student.

(2) The sending district shall pay the average of the per-pupil expenditure of the receiving district and sending district when paying out-of-district tuitions for students in CTE programs.

(3) When two or more substantially similar programs are available within a students transportation district, that student may enroll in the program that is not geographically closest only if the receiving district agrees to pay all the transportation costs to and from the receiving district.

(h) All eligible CTE programs shall align to CTE board of trustees program standards. Programs that do not meet this standard shall not be eligible to enroll out-of-district students and receive state or federal CTE funding.

(i) All state CTE board-approved programs shall align to industry standards or be associated with a nationally recognized CTE board-approved program.

(j) Students enrolled in, accepted to, or attending a state CTE board-approved program of choice outside of the students home district as of January 1, 2022, shall be exempt from the substantially similar provisions of this section and may continue to matriculate in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) in their program of choice so that students and parents who made educational decisions prior to January 1, 2022, shall retain the rights that were in place when they made those decisions. If a substantially similar state-approved program is established in a students home district after the student has enrolled in a program of choice, the student may continue to matriculate in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) in the students program of choice provided the student remains enrolled in the program. The sending district may request, and shall be provided by the district with the chosen CTE program, information on the students progress in programs, including attendance and grades. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply and extend to other siblings in the family who apply to attend the same program of choice.

(k) Career and technical funds allocated under § 16-7.2-6 shall be used solely for the purpose of funding improvements to state CTE board-approved career and technical education programs and facilities or for funding related to the establishment of new career and technical programs in our state.

( l ) The limitations related to enrollment in CTE programs contained within this chapter shall not apply to the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center or the William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School. All eligible students, from any and all Rhode Island cities and towns, have the right to pursue enrollment and enroll in, subject to applicable enrollment procedures, the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center or the William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High Schools programs.

(m) Provided, effective July 1, 2025, any data collection and reporting for individual students, that is required as part of the basic education program regulations data collection including, but not limited to, data required pursuant to the provisions of chapters 7 and 7.2 of this title, shall be the responsibility of the school district, wherein the student is attending and enrolled in a career and technical education program, sometimes colloquially referred to as the receiving district, and not the responsibility of what is sometimes known as the students sending district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-110-2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-110 / Section 16-110-2
§ 16-110-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) African Diaspora means the term commonly used to describe the mass dispersion of peoples from Africa during the Transatlantic Slave Trades, from the 1500s to the 1800s.

(2) African Heritage means any one people with racial, ethnic, and cultural ties to the African Diaspora.

(3) African Heritage People means the people that can be seen in our many state residents of African, white, bi-racial, Latino, Cape Verdean, Caribbean, and Native backgrounds.

(4) Transatlantic Slave Trade means the forced transportation by European slave traders of various enslaved African people, mainly to the Americas. Current estimates are that about twelve million (12,000,000) to twelve million eight hundred thousand (12,800,000) Africans were shipped across the Atlantic over a span of four hundred (400) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-7-40 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-7 / Section 16-7-40
§ 16-7-40. Increased school housing ratio.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) In the case of regional school districts, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by two percent (2%) for each grade so consolidated.

(2) Regional school districts undertaking renovation project(s) shall receive an increased share ratio of four percent (4%) for those specific project(s) only, in addition to the combined share ratio calculated in § 16-7-39 and this subsection.

(b) In the case of projects undertaken by districts specifically for the purposes of school safety and security, the school housing aid share ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) for these specific projects only, in the calculation of school housing aid. The increased share ratio shall continue to be applied for as long as the project(s) receives state housing aid. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, seventy-five percent (75%) of the project costs must be specifically directed to school safety and security measures. The council on elementary and secondary education shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and operation of this section.

(c) For purposes of addressing health and safety deficiencies as defined by the school building authority, including the remediation of hazardous materials, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as the construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.

(d) For purposes of educational enhancement, including projects devoted to the enhancement of early childhood education and career and technical education, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to these purposes.

(e) For replacement of a facility that has a facilities condition index of sixty-five percent (65%) or higher, the school housing ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, does not receive a bonus pursuant to subsection (f) or subsection (g), and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.

(f) For any new construction or renovation that increases the functional utilization of any facility from less than sixty percent (60%) to more than eighty percent (80%), including the consolidation of school buildings within or across districts, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.

(g) For any new construction or renovation that decreases the functional utilization of any facility from more than one hundred twenty percent (120%) to between eighty-five percent (85%) to one hundred five percent (105%), the school housing ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, and a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot. In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.

(h) For consolidation of two (2) or more school buildings, within or across districts into one school building, the school housing aid ratio shall be increased by five percent (5%) so long as construction of the project commences by June 30, 2024, is completed by June 30, 2029, a two hundred fifty million dollar ($250,000,000) general obligation bond is approved on the November 2018 ballot, and does not receive a bonus pursuant to subsection (f) or subsection (g). In order to qualify for the increased share ratio, twenty-five percent (25%) of the project costs or a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) must be specifically directed to this purpose.

(i) Any regionalized and/or non-regionalized school district receiving an increased share ratio for a project approved prior to July 1, 2018, shall continue to receive the increased share ratio for as long as the project receives state housing aid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-22 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-22
§ 16-22-22. Genocide and human rights education.
Status: in_force

The department of elementary and secondary education shall, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, develop curricular material on genocide and human rights issues and guidelines for the teaching of that material. The material and guidelines shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the period of the transatlantic slave trades and the middle passage; (2) the great hunger period in Ireland; (3) the Armenian genocide; (4) the Holocaust; and (5) the Mussolini fascist regime and other recognized human rights violations. In formulating this program the department shall consult with practicing teachers, principals, superintendents and experts knowledgeable in genocide and human rights issues. Local school committees may incorporate the material into their elementary and secondary school curriculum.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-4-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-4 / Section 16-4-5
§ 16-4-5. Use of fund and income  Unexpended funds.
Status: in_force

The income from the fund is appropriated to be used for the promotion and support of public education. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may adopt rules and regulations for the expenditure of these funds. In expending the income the board shall first consider public school improvement projects and programs whose effects could benefit the public schools of any one or more city, town, or school district in the state. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall regularly make recommendations to the board about specific programs and projects to be supported by these funds and the general assembly may make appropriations from the fund principal for educational purposes. Whenever any funds are appropriated for educational purposes, the funds shall be used for educational purposes only and all these state funds must be used to supplement any and all money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes and, in no event, shall state funds be used to supplant, directly or indirectly, any money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes. The commissioner shall oversee the fund, assess the effectiveness of its programs and projects, and make recommendations about the general use and operation of the funds to the board. For the purposes of this section the general treasurer shall continue to hold, subject to expenditure by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, any part of the income of the fund unexpended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-3-7.2 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-3 / Section 16-3-7.2
§ 16-3-7.2. Transfer of North Providence school department.
Status: in_force

The North Providence school department shall be transferred from the Providence vocational area to the William E. Davies vocational area.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-38 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-22 / Section 16-22-38
§ 16-22-38. Career and technical education programs.
Status: in_force

The school committees of the several cities, towns, and school districts shall provide for pupils in the public schools in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) to be taught and be required to study courses that include instruction in career and technical education programs that include knowledge of careers and all types of employment opportunities, including, but not limited to, registered apprenticeships in accordance with chapter 45 of title 28, and emphasizing the advantages of completing school with marketable skills.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-12-6 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-12 / Section 16-12-6
§ 16-12-6. Dismissal of teachers.
Status: in_force

The school committee of any town may, on reasonable notice and hearing, dismiss any teacher for refusal to conform to the regulations made by the committee, or for other just cause.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-87-1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-87 / Section 16-87-1
§ 16-87-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Rhode Island Prekindergarten Education Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-89-5 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-89 / Section 16-89-5
§ 16-89-5. Grant, gifts and donation  Fiduciary responsibility of municipalities  Accounting.
Status: in_force

(a) Any amount of money received by any municipality for expenditure pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited by the chief finance officer of the municipality into the municipal treasury in a separate, restricted receipt account identifiable to the particular grant, gift or donation and shall be expended solely by and upon the demand of the school district, school department or school committee in accord with the express terms and conditions of said grant, gift or donation.

(b) Any account established hereunder shall be interest bearing and any interest on funds so deposited shall remain with and become part of the grant, gift or donation and shall be expended as part of said grant, gift or donation.

(c) Any other grant, gift or donation of any kind, other than money, including, but not limited to equipment, supplies, materials, services and any other contribution of value may be received directly by school districts, school departments, or school committees so long as said grant, gift or donation shall be accounted for from time of receipt to time of disposition, and so long as direct receipt of such is not otherwise prohibited by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-87-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-87 / Section 16-87-4
§ 16-87-4. Early childhood workforce development.
Status: in_force

(a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall work with other state departments and private philanthropy to establish a statewide, comprehensive, research-based early childhood workforce development scholarship program to expand the number of early childhood educators who have an associates or bachelors degree in early childhood education and who work with children from birth to age five (5).

(b)(1) In furtherance of the goals set forth in this chapter, no later than January 1, 2023, the governors workforce board shall convene a working group comprised of representatives from the department of elementary and secondary education, department of human services, office of the postsecondary commissioner, the RI early learning council, organized labor, and early childhood education industry employers, whose purpose shall be to identify barriers to entry into the early childhood education workforce, and to design accessible and accelerated pathways into the workforce, including, but not limited to, registered apprenticeships and postsecondary credit for prior work experience.

(2) No later than April 1, 2023, the working group shall provide the general assembly with recommendations for addressing the barriers to workforce entry and implementing the solutions identified by the working group; the recommendations shall outline any administrative and legislative action that would be required by participating agencies to implement the recommendations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-60-4 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-60 / Section 16-60-4
§ 16-60-4. Council on elementary and secondary education  Powers and duties.
Status: repealed

(a) The council on elementary and secondary education shall have in addition to those enumerated in §16-60-1, the following powers and duties:

(1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis addressed to every aspect of elementary and secondary education in this state especially as that information relates to current and future educational needs so that current needs may be met with reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most efficient and economical manner possible;

(2) To approve a master plan implementing the broad goals and objectives for elementary and secondary education in the state that have been established by the board of education. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of what men and women should know and be able to do as a result of their educational experience. The council on elementary and secondary education shall continually evaluate the efforts and results of education in the light of these objectives;

(3) To adopt standards and require enforcement and to exercise general supervision over all elementary and secondary public and nonpublic education in the state as provided in subsection (a)(8) of this section. The council on elementary and secondary education shall not engage in the operation or administration of any subordinate committee, local school district, school, school service, or school program, except its own department of elementary and secondary education, and except as specifically authorized by an act of the general assembly. The adoption and submittal of the budget and the allocation of appropriations, the acquisition, holding, disposition, and general management of property shall not be construed to come within the purview of the preceding prohibition. The council on elementary and secondary education shall communicate with, and seek the advice of, the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and all those concerned with and affected by its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting its policy;

(4) To allocate and coordinate the various educational functions among the educational agencies of the state and local school districts and to promote cooperation among them so that maximum efficiency and economy shall be achieved;

(5)(i) To prepare, with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and to present annually to the state budget officer, in accordance with §35-3-4, a total educational budget for the elementary and secondary sector that shall include, but not be limited to, the budgets of the department of elementary and secondary education, subordinate boards and agencies, and state aid to local school districts. Prior to submitting the budget as required by the budget office instructions and this subsection, the council shall present the budget to the board of education for review and approval; and

(ii) In the preparation of the budget, the council on elementary and secondary education shall implement the priorities established by the board of education of expenditures for elementary and secondary education purposes of state revenues and other public resources made available for the support of public elementary and secondary education among the various education agencies of the state. Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any individual or group of individuals to reallocate resources in a manner other than that prescribed in the budget as appropriations by the general assembly.

(6) To maintain a department of elementary and secondary education, to provide for its staffing and organization, and to appoint a commissioner of elementary and secondary education pursuant to §16-60-6 who shall serve at its pleasure. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the department of elementary and secondary education shall have any duties and responsibilities as defined in §§16-60-6 and 16-60-7;

(7) To establish other educational agencies or subcommittees necessary or desirable for the conduct of any or all aspects of elementary and secondary education and to determine all powers, functions, and composition of any agencies or subcommittees and to dissolve them when their purpose shall have been fulfilled; provided that nothing contained in this subdivision shall be construed to grant the council the power to establish subcommittees or agencies performing the duties and functions of local school committees except as provided in §16-1-10;

(8) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education with relation to secondary nonpublic educational institutions within the state under the terms of chapter 40 of this title and other laws affecting nonpublic education in the state, and to cause the department of elementary and secondary education to administer the provisions of that section;

(9) To exercise all the functions, powers and duties that previously were vested in the board of regents for education, under the provisions of former §16-49-4(9), including but not limited to the following specific functions:

(i) To approve the basic subjects and courses of study to be taught and instructional standards required to be maintained in the public elementary and secondary schools of the state;

(ii) To adopt standards and qualifications for the certification of teachers and to provide for the issuance of certificates, and to establish fees for the certification of teachers. The fees collected for the certification of teachers, along with various education licensing and testing fees, shall be deposited by the council on elementary and secondary education as general revenues. The funds appropriated by the general assembly shall be utilized by the department of elementary and secondary education to establish and support programs that enhance the quality and diversity of the teaching profession. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall regularly make recommendations to the board about specific programs and projects to be supported by those funds. The commissioner shall oversee the funds, assess the effectiveness of its programs and projects, and make recommendations about the general use and operation of the funds to the board;

(iii) To be responsible for the distribution of state school funds;

(iv) To determine the necessity of school construction and to approve standards for design and construction of school buildings throughout the state;

(v) To set standards for school libraries and school library services;

(vi) To make recommendations relative to transportation of pupils to school, school bus routes, time schedules, and other matters relating to pupil transportation;

(vii) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to elementary and secondary education;

(viii) To decide and determine appeals from decisions of the commissioner;

(ix) To prescribe forms for the use of local school committees and local officers when reporting to the department of elementary and secondary education;

(x) To adopt and require standard accounting procedures for local school districts, except as provided for in subdivision (3) of §16-24-2; and

(xi) To adopt and require standard uniform operating and capital budgeting procedures for local school districts.

(10) To establish rules for the approval and accrediting of elementary and secondary schools;

(11) To recommend to the general assembly changes in the size and number of the school districts within the state; and to make any further and other recommendations to the general assembly as the council on elementary and secondary education may determine to be necessary or desirable, including, but not limited to, proposals for incentives for the coordination of services and facilities of certain school districts and the feasibility of granting taxing authority to local school committees upon their request, and the impact upon the quality of education within that particular community by granting the request. In carrying out this duty, the council on elementary and secondary education shall periodically issue reports in school district organizations for selected regions and school districts;

(12) To exercise all other powers with relation to the field of elementary and secondary education within this state not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency, and not incompatible with law, which the council on elementary and secondary education may deem advisable;

(13) To exercise the authority previously vested in the board of regents for education with relation to adult education as defined in §16-58-2 [repealed] and to establish definitive goals for and operate a comprehensive delivery system for adult education programs and services, including the counseling and testing of persons interested in obtaining high school equivalency diplomas, the issuance of diplomas, and the maintenance of a permanent record of applications, tests, and equivalency diplomas;

(14) To promote maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of elementary and secondary educational services in the state;

(15) To approve a training program for school committee members to enhance their individual skills and their effectiveness as a corporate body. The training program should include, but not be limited to, the following roles and responsibilities of school committees: strategic planning, human and community relations, and school finance and budgeting;

(16) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: 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 council; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection;

(17) To prepare with the assistance of the commissioner a multi-year plan of priority educational goals and objectives. This plan should recommend policy objectives, implementation strategies, and a timetable for major policy initiatives;

(18) Each year the governor shall by writing notify the council on elementary and secondary education concerning broad economic, cultural, and social needs that the education system needs to consider which the council shall address in developing educational plans and programs;

(19) Appoint a standing committee that will develop a schedule to systematically review all council policies over a three-year (3) period;

(20) To prepare, with the assistance of the commissioner, a statement of regulatory policy. This policy should set forth the goals and objectives of state regulations which are expressed in terms of what educational inputs and outputs the board expects regulations to address;

(21)(i) To prepare, with the assistance of the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, and to present annually to the general assembly by January 1 a report on school discipline in Rhode Island schools. This report shall include:

(A) Expulsions by district, including duration and the reason for each action;

(B) Suspensions by district, including duration and the reason for each action;

(C) Placements to alternative programs for disciplinary reasons;

(D) Assaults of teachers, students, and school staff by students;

(E) Incidents involving possession of weapons on school property. For the purpose of this section, a weapon shall be considered any of those weapons described in §§11-47-2 and 11-47-42;

(F) Incidents of the sale of controlled substances by students;

(G) Incidents of the possession with the intent to sell controlled substances by students;

(H) Additional demographic information including, but not limited to, the ethnic and racial classifications, age, and gender, as prescribed by the commissioner, of each of the students involved in the incidents, events or actions described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of this subdivision; and

(I) A description of the education program provided to each student suspended for over ten (10) consecutive school days in a school year.

(ii) All school superintendents shall supply the necessary information on forms established by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to the council on elementary and secondary education to assist in the preparation of the councils report on school discipline.

(22) To prepare and promulgate a uniform statewide school reporting system which would provide information including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Student and teacher attendance rates;

(ii) Standardized test scores;

(iii) Demographic profiles;

(iv) Results of polls of students, parents, and teachers;

(v) Descriptions of goals, initiatives, and achievements;

(vi) Best teaching practices;

(vii) Alternative student assessments;

(viii) Special programs; and

(ix) Number of student suspensions and teacher grievances and the amount of parental involvement.

(23) [Deleted by P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 20, §7].

(b) The council shall identify the benefit to students regarding the action that is taken in executing its duties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-103-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-103 / Section 16-103-3
§ 16-103-3. Social media access requests prohibited.
Status: in_force

No educational institution shall compel a student or applicant, as a condition of acceptance or participation in curricular or extracurricular activities, to add anyone, including a coach, teacher, school administrator, or other school employee or school volunteer, to his or her list of contacts associated with a personal social media account or require, request, or cause a student or applicant to alter settings that affect a third partys ability to view the contents of a personal social media account.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-27 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-2 / Section 16-2-27
§ 16-2-27. Eligibility for attendance  Kindergarten.
Status: in_force

Every child who has attained, or will have attained, five (5) years of age on or before September 1 of any school year shall be eligible to attend kindergarten during all the days that the kindergartens are in session during the school year. Every child who has attained, or will have attained, six (6) years of age on or before September 1 of any school year shall attend kindergarten during all the days that the kindergartens are in session during the school year if said child has not previously attended and successfully completed kindergarten. When a child is enrolled in kindergarten, the attendance requirements of § 16-19-1 shall apply. All school districts shall provide full-day kindergarten to every eligible student pursuant to chapter 99 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-113-3 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-113 / Section 16-113-3
§ 16-113-3. Establishment of scholarship program.
Status: in_force

There is hereby established the Rhode Island hope scholarship pilot program. The general assembly shall annually appropriate the funds necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter for the periods of the pilot program. Additional funds beyond the scholarships may be appropriated to support and advance the Rhode Island hope scholarship pilot program. In addition to appropriation by the general assembly, charitable donations may be accepted into the scholarship program.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-16-24.1 — RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-16 / Section 16-16-24.1
§ 16-16-24.1. Substitute teaching and post-retirement employment related to COVID-19.
Status: in_force

(a) Notwithstanding any public or general law, or rule or regulation to the contrary, any teacher, administrator, or staff member who has retired under the provisions of title 16, 36, or 45 may, as part of the public health crisis caused by COVID-19, exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment upon:

(1) A determination by the local education authority that there exists a specialized need, within their authority, to fill positions on a temporary basis, that may exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment;

(2) There exists a good-faith basis that those retired teachers, administrators, and staff members being asked to exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment possess the skills, training, and knowledge necessary to help address the public health crisis, caused by COVID-19; and

(3) The local education authority has notified the state retirement board that it has determined that exceeding the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment is necessary to help address the public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

(b) Any teacher, administrator, or staff member who has retired under the provisions of title 16, 36, or 45, and has been employed or re-employed under the provisions of this section, shall not be entitled to additional service credits for such employment.

(c) Unless extended by the general assembly, this section shall sunset upon the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year.