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 6 - Regulations on Comprehensive Early Childhood Education (CECE) Programs
Section 200-RICR-20-10-6.4 - The Approval Process
Universal Citation: 200 RI Code of Rules 20 10 6.4
Current through September 18, 2024
6.4.1 Procedures for approval under Tier 1 and Tier 2
A. Procedures for approval include:
1. Completion and submission of an
application and documentation as required by this part.
2. Upon receipt of a completed application
and required documentation, reviewed by RIDE to determine compliance of the
program.
3. For Tier 2 approval, an
on-site visit by an authorized representative designated by the Commissioner
for the purpose of providing assistance in terms of compliance matters or
observing the program in action.
4.
Determination by an authorized representative designated by the Commissioner
that the program meets requirements for approval based on both the program's
application and supporting documentation, and the on-site visit to that program
as applicable.
6.4.2 Types of applications
A. Prior to filing these applications, it is
recommended that the applicant confer with the authorized representative
designated by the Commissioner to initiate the steps required for meeting
approval requirements. Types of applications include:
1. Application for Initial Approval.
a. A person desiring to open a comprehensive
early childhood education program shall make formal application for approval on
prescribed forms provided by the Commissioner.
b. Applications may be submitted for
multi-site programs or for single-site programs. In either case, all early
childhood education programs in any single site must be approved in order for
the site to be approved.
c.
Approval by the Commissioner is required before any program advertises itself
as a comprehensive early childhood education program approved by
RIDE.
2. Application for
Renewal of Approval.
a. Renewal of approval
must be made annually. The Commissioner will provide written notification
through an authorized representative of the RIDE prior to the expiration of the
current approval that a renewal application must be filed.
b. Early childhood education programs
desiring renewal of approval shall make application on forms provided by the
Commissioner.
c. In addition to the
information required on renewal forms, the applicant program shall provide RIDE
with information regarding any changes made since the date of last
approval.
3.
Re-Application for Approval.
a. A
re-application for approval for a comprehensive early childhood education
program shall meet the requirements as set forth § 6.4.2(A)(1) of this
Part above. Re-application shall be filed when:
(1) There is a change in the location of the
early childhood early education program;
(2) There is a major change in the original
program, goals and objectives of the program and/or type of population
served;
(3) There has been a
previous discontinuance of the program; or
(4) The Commissioner has revoked or refused
to renew the program's approval.
6.4.3 Department action on applications
A. After reviewing the
data collected and reported by the authorized representative designated by the
Commissioner, approval action by the Commissioner shall take the form of one
(1) of the following:
1. Approval.
a. A program which meets the standards will
be approved, issued a certificate to operate for Tier 1 or for Comprehensive
Tier 2 Approval will be listed in RIDE's Directory of Early Childhood Education
Programs. Approval is for one (1) year and must be renewed annually.
(1) Certificates of approval are issued
without charge by the Commissioner.
(2) A copy of the certificate of approval
shall be maintained on file in the program and the certificate of approval
shall be posted in a prominent place within the program.
(3) The certificate of approval will state
the maximum number of children to be served in the program during any given
session and the dates of validity. It will remain in force unless otherwise
specified or sooner, if revoked.
(4) When the approval is in force, the
Commissioner or authorized representative shall be given the right of entrance
at any reasonable time, the privilege to inspect the program, and access to all
records for the purpose of ascertaining compliance with these standards and
investigating complaints.
(5) The
approval is granted to a designated holder of the certificate of approval and
limited only to the location named.
(6) An operator of a program must notify the
Commissioner of major changes such as closure of service, change of name or
location, change of ownership, change of program administrator or early
education coordinator, major program changes, which affect the approval
certificate while in force.
(7)
When a program discontinues its operation, the owner or program administrator
shall provide written notification to the Commissioner at least thirty (30)
days prior to closure.
(8) A
person, unincorporated society, association, or corporation purchasing a
program shall comply with all of the requirements for securing an initial
approval. An approval is not transferable or assignable.
2. Approval Variance.
a. A variance to these standards may be
allowed at the discretion of the Commissioner.
b. Application for a variance shall include
the following items:
(1) an identification of
the standard for which the variance is requested, an explanation of the
program's current status in relation to the standard in question,
(2) a justification for the variance request
and a specific plan of tasks and timelines for bringing the program into full
compliance with the standard.
c. Variances shall be allowed for no more
than one (1) calendar year or another timeframe not to exceed five (5) years as
specified by the Commissioner.
d.
Renewal of the variance can be requested annually as part of the program's
annual program approval renewal. A variance renewal request shall address the
same items as in the initial variance request plus documentation of task,
timelines and progress toward bringing the program into full compliance unless
determined unnecessary by the Commissioner or authorized
representative.
3.
Denial of Approval.
a. If a program does not
meet these standards and the applicant does not submit an acceptable
application or step-by-step plan for doing so, the program will be disapproved.
When such action is taken, the Commissioner shall upon written request, grant
the applicant a hearing.
4. Revocation of Approval.
a. The Commissioner may consider any
violation of these standards cause for the revocation of or refusal to renew
the approval. A comprehensive early childhood education program approval shall
be revoked for cause as specified in R.I. Gen. Laws §
16-48-5.
Where approval is revoked or refused, the applicant has a right to a hearing
whereby the extent of the program's compliance with these standards shall be
determined.
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