2025 -- H 5339
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LC001297
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS
Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, Corvese, Finkelman, Donovan, McEntee, Cruz,
Furtado, Slater, Solomon, and Hull
Date Introduced: February 07, 2025
Referred To: House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 16-11-2.3 and 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled 1
"Certification of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" 2
are hereby amended to read as follows: 3
16-11-2.3. Standardized testing — Issuance of certificates. 4
(a) No person who obtained an initial certificate prior to January 8, 2002 shall be barred 5
from certification under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teacher’s 6
examination; provided, however, that he or she successfully completes an assessment, based on 7
criteria established by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, in accordance 8
with 34 CFR § 200.56. 9
(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may administer a written 10
examination to prospective teachers seeking certification. 11
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, until July 1, 12
2027, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to 13
obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be suspended. No applicant for a teaching 14
certification under this chapter shall be required to take any standardized teacher's examination or 15
assessment designated by the board of elementary and secondary education or the department of 16
elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2027. Provided, however, this subsection shall 17
not apply to any testing that is required as part of an accredited post-secondary teacher preparation 18
program. 19
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16-11-3. Certificates without examination. 1
The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may, in its discretion, issue 2
certificates of qualification without examination to persons who may present evidence of 3
qualification and shall comply with the regulations of the board. Provided, that any teacher who is 4
certified in two (2) fields or subjects of science, other than general science, shall also be 5
automatically certified in the field or subject of general science without the need for examination 6
or other proof of qualifications in the subject of general science. 7
(b) Until July 1, 2027, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's 8
examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be 9
suspended. No applicant for a teaching certification under this chapter shall be required to take any 10
standardized teacher's examination or assessment designated by the board of elementary and 11
secondary education or the department of elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2027. 12
Provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to any testing that is required as part of an 13
accredited post-secondary teacher preparation program. 14
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 15
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS
***
This act would provide that until July 1, 2027, an applicant for a teaching certificate in 1
Rhode Island would not be required to complete a standardized teacher's examination as a 2
prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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