Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 200 - Board of Education
Chapter 20 - Council on Elementary and Secondary Education
Subchapter 10 - Academic Standards, Programs and Operations
Part 2 - Secondary Design: Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System
Section 200-RICR-20-10-2.1 - Definitions

1. "All Course Network (ACN)", formerly the Advanced Course Network, means RIDE's statewide system to provide students from all communities the opportunity to enroll in coursework that is not provided locally at their school. ACN providers include other schools and districts, colleges and universities, job training programs, and non-profit organizations. The purpose of the ACN is to provide every child the opportunity to participate in learning experiences that align to their personal goals and passions. The ACN shall be considered a supplemental resource to support schools in meeting the unique needs of every student.

2. "Applied learning skills" means the cross-curricular, skills that students are expected to learn, acquire, and apply over the course of their K-12 education. This may include but is not limited to communication, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, research, reflection and evaluation, and collaboration. Applied learning skills can be demonstrated in the classroom and in non-classroom settings, including but not limited to workbased learning experiences, and community service.

3. "Advisory structure" means a structure or structures for stable groups of students to meet regularly throughout the academic year with at least one assigned adult in an environment with sufficient time and opportunity to support student achievement in the academic, career, and personal/social domains.

4. "Career and Technical Education (CTE)" means organized academic and work-related education that offers students opportunities for career awareness, exploration, and career preparation focused on providing them with the academic and technical knowledge and work-related skills necessary to be successful in postsecondary, training activities and employment as defined by Part 3 of this Subchapter, Regulations Governing Career and Technical Education in Rhode Island.

5. "Career and Technical Education (CTE) program" means career preparation programs as defined by Part 3 of this Subchapter, Regulations Governing Career and Technical Education in Rhode Island.

6. "Caregiving youth" means school-age children who provide ongoing assistance with tasks on a regular or daily basis to relatives or household members related to aging, childcare, disability, and physical or mental illness.

7. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or designee.

8. "Common planning time" means regular, scheduled opportunities provided to teachers to work in disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of improving student achievement.

9. Computer science" means the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their impact on society.

10. "Concurrent enrollment" means enrollment of a student in a college-level dual enrollment course that is offered at the secondary school and taught by a secondary school teacher who is approved by the postsecondary institutions as defined by Part 10-00-1 of this Title, Regulations for Dual Enrollment.

11. "Core content areas" means English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, world language, physical education and health, and computer science.

12. "Credit" means successful demonstration of competencies in a connected series of lessons and learning experiences that:

13. "Course catalog" means a list of courses offered to students during a given timeframe, typically including course name, description, prerequisites, and instructor.

14. "Council designation" means the recognition of achievement that expresses a greater level of achievement consistent with a standard set for this purpose by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Designations approved by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education shall include but not be limited to documentation of student achievement of statewide English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics (math) standards and documentation of student completion of a defined program of study consistent with a personal learning goal.

15. "Diploma plus credentials" mean learning experiences that are validated through credentials recognized in school accountability and include, but are not limited to, dual and concurrent enrollment credit, industry recognized credentials as established by CTE program standards, and a qualifying score of three (3) or higher on an Advanced Placement exam.

16. "Diploma requirements" means the diploma requirements that will take effect with the Class of 2028. Students will be required to meet the following elements to earn a diploma:

17. "Diploma system" means the comprehensive set of structures, processes, and policies required in all secondary schools to ensure access to rigorous programming and appropriate supports that prepare all students for success in college, careers, and life.

18. "Dual enrollment" means enrollment of a student in a secondary school while simultaneously enrolled part-time or full-time as a non-matriculating student at a postsecondary institution, such as a community college, college, or university as defined by Part 10-00-1 of this Title, Regulations for Dual Enrollment.

19. "Curriculum" means a standards-based sequence of planned experiences where students practice and achieve proficiency in content and applied learning skills. Curriculum is the central guide for all educators as to what is essential for teaching and learning, so that every student has access to rigorous academic experiences. The structure, organization, and considerations in a curriculum are created in order to enhance student learning and facilitate instruction. Curriculum must include the necessary goals, methods, materials and assessments to effectively support instruction and learning. Schools are required to provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum, as established by the Basic Education Program, and State statute.

20. "Flex credit" means an academic credit that is designed to increase real-world relevant learning for students by providing standards-aligned instruction that incorporates at minimum two (2) subject areas into credit to connected student learning experience. Flex credits shall be used to promote student engagement and shall not compromise rigor and applicable academic standards.

21. "Individual learning plan" or "ILP" means a planning and monitoring tool that customizes and directs students' goals and development in three (3) domains: academic, career, and personal/social.

22. "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a public board of education/school committee or other public authority legally constituted within the State for either administrative control or direction of one (1) or more Rhode Island public elementary schools or secondary schools.

23. "Performance-based diploma assessment" means multifaceted assignments and/or experiences that serve as a culminating demonstration of a student's applied learning skills and knowledge of one (1) or more content areas.

24. "Personalization" means a diverse variety of educational programs that provide student's real-world relevant learning experiences that create instructional approaches and academic support strategies that are intended to address the distinct learning needs, interests, aspirations or cultural backgrounds of individual students.

25. "Proficiency" means meeting or exceeding the defined level of knowledge and skills that are established by the standards to award an academic credit.

26. "Standards" mean the knowledge and skills associated with a particular subject area that defines what students need to know to earn a credit.

27. "Students who work" means school-age children who are employed or are seeking employment to support their family.

28. "Work-based learning" means a planned, structured learning experience that provides students with real-life or simulated work experiences where they can develop and apply academic, technical, and applied learning skills; and contributes to the achievement of a student's postsecondary and employment goals. Work-based learning may include internship, apprenticeship, service-learning, school-based enterprise, and industrybased projects. Work-based learning is a recognized and valued form of academic learning.