The bill amends Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws to enhance the reporting requirements for the educational progress of foster care youth. It introduces a new section, 16-22-1.1, which defines key terms such as "504 accommodations," "alternative means," "disproportionally failing," "expelled," "foster care," "special education services," and "suspension from school." Additionally, it modifies Section 16-22-9.1 to require superintendents to report on various metrics related to foster care youth, including the number of students receiving 504 accommodations, those evaluated for special education eligibility, the number of foster care youth with appointed surrogate parents, and the percentage on track to graduate in four years based on credit attainment.

The bill mandates that if foster care youth are found to be disproportionately failing academically or facing disciplinary actions, superintendents must develop and submit a remediation plan to address these issues. The school department is required to submit this plan to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) within twenty-one calendar days of the superintendent's determination. Progress reports on the remediation plans must be submitted in March and June, detailing corrective actions taken and resubmitting all relevant data. If the progress reports indicate a lack of improvement in outcomes, they must identify alternative strategies to enhance performance.

These progress reports are to be submitted to various stakeholders, including the office of the governor, the senate president, the speaker of the house, the director of the Department of Children, Youth & Families, the Rhode Island family court, and the office of the child advocate. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8362: 16-22-9.1