TITLE 16

Education

CHAPTER 16-74

Guaranteed Student Entitlement [See Title 16 Chapter 97 – The Rhode

Island Board of Education Act]

SECTION 16-74-1



   § 16-74-1  Legislative findings. –

(a) The current system of education financing does not provide for absolute

equity, does not account completely for individual student needs, and relies

too heavily on the property tax, and the governor through executive order 92-9

and the twenty-first century commission through its final report as endorsed by

the board of regents for elementary and secondary education has cited the need

for a guaranteed student entitlement program, it is enacted that the

commissioner of elementary and secondary education present to the general

assembly a new state aid education formula referred to as the "guaranteed

student entitlement program", based on the definition of equity in school

funding in subsection (b).



   (b) "Equity" is defined as equal treatment of students and

taxpayers. It means that a sufficient amount of money is allocated to enable

all students to achieve learner outcomes, and tax burdens shall be based on

ability to pay. It means that money spent for a child's education shall not be

a function of district wealth, and that all students shall have the same

educational opportunities. The quality of education provided must be a function

of statewide wealth.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1993, ch. 239, § 1.)