This bill amends the Education Accountability Act to make changes to the evaluation system for local education agencies (LEAs) and individual public schools. The bill requires the board of education to adopt a system for evaluating the performance of LEAs and schools on an annual basis. The system must include assessment instruments that measure student performance and improve curriculum and instruction. The bill also requires the commissioner of elementary and secondary education to gather information for evaluating schools and programs, and establishes a data system to assess the effectiveness of district evaluation systems. Each school district must maintain individual records on every student and employee, and file a comprehensive district improvement plan every three years. The bill also requires each district to prepare an annual action plan and each school to adopt student performance goals and formulate a school plan to improve student performance. The principal of each school must also prepare an annual report on graduating student data.

This bill includes various amendments to current law regarding education in Rhode Island. One amendment requires the Department of Education to collect data on the number of students completing a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and the number of students eligible to fill out a FAFSA form. Another amendment replaces the requirement for school districts to submit a comprehensive assessment system exam with a state assessment. The bill also requires school districts to submit annual reports on curriculum implementation, pupil/teacher ratios, teacher and administrator evaluation procedures, truancy and dropout statistics, suspensions, racial composition of staff, enrollment and attendance, and budgets and expenditures. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to file descriptions of instructional procedures and programs, and English language learners programs. The bill also includes provisions for the department to request additional information from school districts.