(a) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education shall begin planning an initial, demonstration after school and summer learning program that meets high quality standards, is age/grade appropriate, runs programming during the hours of 3:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. during the week, promotes the healthy development of youth, connects to the school day, builds on the existing after school and summer learning infrastructure in the state (including child care, 21st century community learning centers program, child opportunity zones, community-based organizations and public schools), incorporates experiential learning, social/emotional development and project-based activities and serves all children and youth from kindergarten to 12th grade with an emphasis on children and youth who attend high poverty, low performing schools. This planning phase will develop specific goals to expand the demonstration after school and summer learning program over time and will also identify opportunities to strengthen learning opportunities for children and youth.
(b) During this planning phase, the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education will: (1) Quantify the resources needed to achieve and maintain high quality standards based on existing quality standards in after school and summer learning programs; (2) Identify incentives and supports to develop a qualified workforce, including opportunities for professional development, planning time and staff development.
(c) The Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education will begin to develop plans to collect and analyze data regarding the impact of the demonstration after school and summer learning program on participating children's school achievement, behavior during school hours and social/emotional development.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 87, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 93, § 1.