§ 16-22-34 — § 16-22-34. The basic education program.

§ 16-22-34. The basic education program.

(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.

Legislative History

P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 10, § 3, effective July 6, 2021.