TITLE 16

Education

CHAPTER 16-97

The Rhode Island Board of Education Act

SECTION 16-97-1.2



   § 16-97-1.2  Powers and duties of the board

of education. –

The board of education shall have the following powers and duties:



   (a) To develop and adopt a strategic plan defining broad

goals and objectives for education in the state. These goals and objectives

shall be expressed in terms of the future educational attainment of the

population, quality of life and economy of Rhode Island, including but not

limited to what children, men and women should know and be able to do as a

result of their educational experience and the contributions of education to

meeting the workforce and economic development needs of Rhode Island. The board

shall approve the strategic plans for elementary and secondary education and

postsecondary education in terms of the alignment of these strategic plans with

the overall strategic plan of the board of education. The board shall

continuously evaluate the efforts of the council on elementary and secondary

education and the council on postsecondary education to implement the strategic

plans and shall review the results of education in the light of these

objectives;



   (b) To prepare and maintain a five (5) year strategic funding

plan for all levels of education in Rhode Island. The board shall determine

priorities of expenditures for public education purposes of state revenues and

other public resources made available for the support of public education and

direct the council on elementary and secondary education and the council on

postsecondary education to implement those priorities when developing the

annual budget for elementary and secondary education and higher education. The

councils shall present their annual budgets to the board for its review and

approval. Nothing contained in this subdivision shall authorize the board to

alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise provided by law;



   (c) To develop and submit to the general assembly for

approval a performance funding formula for public higher education that

furthers the purposes of the board and ensures that all students may achieve

educational excellence;



   (d) To develop policies that maximize the potential of

collaboration from elementary and secondary education through higher education

systems and that improve efficiencies at all levels of the education system

through improved coordination of activities;



   (e) To embrace the legislative findings regarding virtual

education established by § 16-22.1-2 of the general laws and adopt goals

and policies that address these findings and to encourage the council on

elementary and secondary education and the council for postsecondary education

to develop and or improve virtual learning experiences for Rhode Island

students;



   (f) To approve the appointment of a commissioner of

elementary and secondary education.



   (g) To approve the appointment of a commissioner of

postsecondary education.



   (h) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and

qualified board members within six (6) months of their qualification. The

course shall be developed by the chairperson of the board, approved by the

board, and conducted by the chairperson of the board. The board may approve the

use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training.

The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the

provisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the board's own rules.



History of Section.

(P.L. 2014, ch. 145, art. 20, § 9.)