Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 200 - Board of Education › Chapter 20 - Council on Elementary and Secondary Education › Subchapter 10 - Academic Standards, Programs and Operations › Part 2 - Secondary Design: Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System › Section 200-RICR-20-10-2.1 - Definitions

Current through June 14, 2024
A. As used in this Part, the following words
				  and terms have the following meaning, unless the context indicates another or
				  different meaning or intent:
1. "All Course
				  Network (ACN)", formerly the Advanced Course Network, means RIDE's statewide
				  system to provide students from all communities the opportunity to enroll in
				  coursework that is not provided locally at their school. ACN providers include
				  other schools and districts, colleges and universities, job training programs,
				  and non-profit organizations. The purpose of the ACN is to provide every child
				  the opportunity to participate in learning experiences that align to their
				  personal goals and passions. The ACN shall be considered a supplemental
				  resource to support schools in meeting the unique needs of every
				  student.
2. "Applied learning
				  skills" means the cross-curricular, skills that students are expected to learn,
				  acquire, and apply over the course of their K-12 education. This may include
				  but is not limited to communication, creativity, problem-solving, critical
				  thinking, research, reflection and evaluation, and collaboration. Applied
				  learning skills can be demonstrated in the classroom and in non-classroom
				  settings, including but not limited to workbased learning experiences, and
				  community service.
3. "Advisory
				  structure" means a structure or structures for stable groups of students to
				  meet regularly throughout the academic year with at least one assigned adult in
				  an environment with sufficient time and opportunity to support student
				  achievement in the academic, career, and personal/social domains.
4. "Career and Technical Education (CTE)"
				  means organized academic and work-related education that offers students
				  opportunities for career awareness, exploration, and career preparation focused
				  on providing them with the academic and technical knowledge and work-related
				  skills necessary to be successful in postsecondary, training activities and
				  employment as defined by Part 3 of this Subchapter, Regulations Governing
				  Career and Technical Education in Rhode Island.
5. "Career and Technical Education (CTE)
				  program" means career preparation programs as defined by Part 3 of this
				  Subchapter, Regulations Governing Career and Technical Education in Rhode
				  Island.
6. "Caregiving youth" means
				  school-age children who provide ongoing assistance with tasks on a regular or
				  daily basis to relatives or household members related to aging, childcare,
				  disability, and physical or mental illness.
7. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of
				  elementary and secondary education or designee.
8. "Common planning time" means regular,
				  scheduled opportunities provided to teachers to work in disciplinary and/or
				  interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of improving student
				  achievement.
9. Computer science"
				  means the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their
				  principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and
				  their impact on society.
10.
				  "Concurrent enrollment" means enrollment of a student in a college-level dual
				  enrollment course that is offered at the secondary school and taught by a
				  secondary school teacher who is approved by the postsecondary institutions as
				  defined by Part
				  10-00-1 of this Title, Regulations
				  for Dual Enrollment.
11. "Core
				  content areas" means English language arts, mathematics, science, social
				  studies, the arts, world language, physical education and health, and computer
				  science.
12. "Credit" means
				  successful demonstration of competencies in a connected series of lessons and
				  learning experiences that:
a. Establish and
				  achieve expectations defined by recognized content standards that is supported
				  by a high-quality curriculum, as required by the BEP and State
				  statute,
b. Provide students with
				  opportunities to learn and practice skills; and,
c. Include assessments of student knowledge
				  and skills adequate to determine proficiency at the level of academic rigor
				  required by relevant content standards.
d. The awarding of credit is earned by
				  demonstrating competency as established by applicable standards. The awarding
				  of credit is not bound by seat time or instructional minute
				  requirements.
13.
				  "Course catalog" means a list of courses offered to students during a given
				  timeframe, typically including course name, description, prerequisites, and
				  instructor.
14. "Council
				  designation" means the recognition of achievement that expresses a greater
				  level of achievement consistent with a standard set for this purpose by the
				  Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Designations approved by the
				  Council on Elementary and Secondary Education shall include but not be limited
				  to documentation of student achievement of statewide English Language Arts
				  (ELA) and Mathematics (math) standards and documentation of student completion
				  of a defined program of study consistent with a personal learning
				  goal.
15. "Diploma plus
				  credentials" mean learning experiences that are validated through credentials
				  recognized in school accountability and include, but are not limited to, dual
				  and concurrent enrollment credit, industry recognized credentials as
				  established by CTE program standards, and a qualifying score of three (3) or
				  higher on an Advanced Placement exam.
16. "Diploma requirements" means the diploma
				  requirements that will take effect with the Class of 2028. Students will be
				  required to meet the following elements to earn a diploma:
a. Successful completion of State and local
				  credit requirements; and,
b.
				  Successful completion of real-world relevant proficiency
				  requirements,
c. Successful
				  completion of college and career ready requirements, and
d. Successful completion of a
				  performance-based diploma assessment.
17. "Diploma system" means the comprehensive
				  set of structures, processes, and policies required in all secondary schools to
				  ensure access to rigorous programming and appropriate supports that prepare all
				  students for success in college, careers, and life.
18. "Dual enrollment" means enrollment of a
				  student in a secondary school while simultaneously enrolled part-time or
				  full-time as a non-matriculating student at a postsecondary institution, such
				  as a community college, college, or university as defined by Part
				  10-00-1 of this Title, Regulations
				  for Dual Enrollment.
19.
				  "Curriculum" means a standards-based sequence of planned experiences where
				  students practice and achieve proficiency in content and applied learning
				  skills. Curriculum is the central guide for all educators as to what is
				  essential for teaching and learning, so that every student has access to
				  rigorous academic experiences. The structure, organization, and considerations
				  in a curriculum are created in order to enhance student learning and facilitate
				  instruction. Curriculum must include the necessary goals, methods, materials
				  and assessments to effectively support instruction and learning. Schools are
				  required to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum, as established by the
				  Basic Education Program, and State statute.
20. "Flex credit" means an academic credit
				  that is designed to increase real-world relevant learning for students by
				  providing standards-aligned instruction that incorporates at minimum two (2)
				  subject areas into credit to connected student learning experience. Flex
				  credits shall be used to promote student engagement and shall not compromise
				  rigor and applicable academic standards.
21. "Individual learning plan" or "ILP" means
				  a planning and monitoring tool that customizes and directs students' goals and
				  development in three (3) domains: academic, career, and
				  personal/social.
22. "Local
				  education agency" or "LEA" means a public board of education/school committee
				  or other public authority legally constituted within the State for either
				  administrative control or direction of one (1) or more Rhode Island public
				  elementary schools or secondary schools.
23. "Performance-based diploma assessment"
				  means multifaceted assignments and/or experiences that serve as a culminating
				  demonstration of a student's applied learning skills and knowledge of one (1)
				  or more content areas.
24.
				  "Personalization" means a diverse variety of educational programs that provide
				  student's real-world relevant learning experiences that create instructional
				  approaches and academic support strategies that are intended to address the
				  distinct learning needs, interests, aspirations or cultural backgrounds of
				  individual students.
25.
				  "Proficiency" means meeting or exceeding the defined level of knowledge and
				  skills that are established by the standards to award an academic
				  credit.
26. "Standards" mean the
				  knowledge and skills associated with a particular subject area that defines
				  what students need to know to earn a credit.
27. "Students who work" means school-age
				  children who are employed or are seeking employment to support their
				  family.
28. "Work-based learning"
				  means a planned, structured learning experience that provides students with
				  real-life or simulated work experiences where they can develop and apply
				  academic, technical, and applied learning skills; and contributes to the
				  achievement of a student's postsecondary and employment goals. Work-based
				  learning may include internship, apprenticeship, service-learning, school-based
				  enterprise, and industrybased projects. Work-based learning is a recognized and
				  valued form of academic learning.