2008 -- H 7713

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LC02283

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2008

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS BOARD

     Introduced By: Representative Steven F. Smith

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2008

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 16-11.4-1, 16-11.4-2, 16-11.4-3 and 16-11.4-4 of the General

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Laws in Chapter 16-11.4 entitled "Rhode Island Certification Standards Board" are hereby

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amended to read as follows:

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     16-11.4-1. Legislative intent. -- The general assembly recognizes that teaching and the

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rendering of other professional educational services in the pre-kindergarten through grade twelve

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(12) of public schools in this state affect the public interest. The general assembly further

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recognizes the importance of governing the preparation, licensure, and regulation of public school

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teachers and administrators through policies for teacher and administrator certification that

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maintain the highest professional standards and that are promulgated by the board of regents for

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elementary and secondary education with full input from those practicing in the profession.

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     16-11.4-2. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certification --

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Establishment -- Composition. Policy board on teacher and administrator certification --

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Establishment -- Composition. -- (a) There is hereby established a policy advisory board on

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teacher and administrator certification to consist of nine (9) members: two (2) of whom shall be

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representatives of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals; two (2) of

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whom shall be representatives of the National Education Association of Rhode Island; one of

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whom shall be a representative of the University of Rhode Island School of Education; one of

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whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island College School of Education; one of whom

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shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Principals; one of whom shall

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be a representative of the Rhode Island Association of School Administrators; and one of whom

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shall be the commissioner of higher elementary and secondary education, or his or her designee.

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The director of the department of elementary and secondary education office of teacher

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preparation, certification and professional development shall be non-voting ex-officio to the

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board. The policy advisory board shall advise the commissioners of elementary and secondary

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education and the board of regents for elementary and secondary education on the development of

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promulgate all policies, rules, and regulations relating to the certification of teachers and

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administrators.

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     16-11.4-3. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrator certification --

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Meetings -- Staff support. Policy board on teacher and administrator certification --

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Meetings -- Staff support. -- (a) The policy advisory board on teacher and administrator

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certification shall hold regular meetings not less than ten (10) times per year. The board shall hold

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additional special meetings as it deems necessary. Special meetings may be called by the

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commissioners of the department of elementary and secondary education, or by the request for a

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meeting of at least four (4) members. The presence of a majority of members shall constitute a

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quorum for transaction of business. All meetings of the board shall be open and public, except

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that the board may call an executive session as provided for in chapter 46 of title 42.

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      (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall provide all necessary

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staff and logistical support to the board to enable the board to carry out its function.

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      (c) The provisions of chapter 46 of title 42 shall apply to all meetings of this board.

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     16-11.4-4. Policy advisory board on teacher and administrative certification --

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General powers and duties. Policy board on teacher and administrative certification --

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General powers and duties. -- The advisory board shall:

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      (1) Recommend to the commissioners of elementary and secondary education and to the

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board of regents for elementary and secondary education Adopt standards for obtaining and

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maintaining a certificate of qualifications;

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      (2) Recommend to the commissioners of elementary and secondary education and to the

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board of regents for elementary and secondary education Adopt standards for the revocation or

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suspension of a certificate of qualifications and the standards for the reinstatement of a suspended

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or revoked certificate of qualifications;

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      (3) Recommend to the commissioners of elementary and secondary education and to the

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board of regents for elementary and secondary education the adoption or revision of Adopt rules

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and regulations consistent with law as may be necessary to regulate teacher and administrator

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certification pursuant to chapter 11 of this title;

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      (4) Recommend to the commissioners of elementary and secondary education and to the

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board of regents for elementary and secondary education Adopt standards for teacher and

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administrator preparation programs in this state and standards for the evaluation of teacher and

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administrator preparation programs in this state.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02283

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS BOARD

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     This act would amend the composition and the duties of the Rhode Island certification

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standards board. It would remove the status of advisory from the policy advisory board on teacher

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and administrator certification to the policy board on teacher and administrator certification.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02283

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