Rhode Island Senate Bill S0832

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Permits continuation of instructor-led virtual instruction for drivers’ education for two-year period. Board of education required to provide report comparing test scores of virtual versus in-person instruction to house speaker and senate president.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of S0832 is the amendment to Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws concerning operators' and chauffeurs' licenses. The bill stipulates that no limited-instruction permit or license can be issued to individuals under eighteen without them completing an approved driver training course, which can now include virtual instruction. This expansion of instruction methods is expected to enhance accessibility for students, particularly in rural communities and for those with learning challenges, promoting greater inclusiveness in driver education.

Summary

S0832 is a legislative bill that aims to extend the authorization for instructor-led virtual instruction for driver education until July 1, 2027. This bill recognizes the shift in educational modalities that emerged during the pandemic and seeks to maintain a virtual option for teaching driver education. With the changes made during the pandemic, the Rhode Island Department of Education has found that virtual driver education courses can effectively engage students through interactive features, ensuring that the requirements of the state curriculum are met even in a digital format.

Contention

The bill encourages a comparative analysis of test scores between students who receive instruction through virtual formats versus those who attend in-person classrooms. The findings from this analysis will be presented to legislative leaders, allowing for data-driven discussions about the effectiveness of virtual learning in driver education. However, there may be some contention regarding the perceived quality of virtual instruction compared to traditional classroom settings, and whether extending this authorization long-term aligns with educational standards and public safety considerations.