Rhode Island § 16-98-4 - Access to Advanced Placement Courses for All Students Act [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]

§ 16-98-4. Powers and duties of department.

(a) Guidelines. The department shall promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures necessary for the implementation of this chapter including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) In consultation with the College Board, certify those teacher-training entities that are qualified to provide training of teachers to teach advanced placement courses in the four (4) core academic areas;

(2) In certifying teacher-training entities for this program, the department shall ensure that the training times and locations will be geographically accessible for teachers from eligible school entities to attend;

(3) The department, in consultation with the College Board, shall ensure that training provided by those teacher-training entities must provide teachers of advanced placement courses with the necessary content knowledge and instructional skills to prepare students for success in advanced placement courses and examinations;

(4) Starting at the end of the first year of the program, and every year thereafter, the department shall issue a report to the general assembly on the advanced placement teacher-training program that shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The number of teachers receiving training in advanced placement instructions in school entities, school districts and high schools in each of the four (4) core academic areas.

(ii) The number of students taking advanced placement courses at school entities in each of the four (4) core academic areas.

(iii) The number of students scoring a three (3) or more on an advanced placement examination at school entities in each of the four (4) core academic areas.

(iv) The remaining unmet need for trained teachers in school entities that do not offer advanced placement courses.

(v) The number of students taking advanced placement courses who do not take the advanced placement examination.

(vi) The number of students below the poverty level who take advanced placement courses.

(vii) The number of students below the poverty level who take advanced placement courses and do not take the advanced placement examination; and

(5) In consultation with local education authorities, ensure that the opportunity to participate in the advanced placement program and gain college credit is available to the greatest number of students as practicable.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the board of education, through the department, from expanding the program to include other nationally accepted courses of study that provide students an opportunity to gain college credits from classes taken in high school.