Commissioner's Advisories

Rhode Island General Law (Title 16, Section 16-1-5) states that the Commissioner shall "require the observance of all laws relating to schools and education" and requires that the Commissioner "interpret school law." As a result, the Commissioner periodically issues legal advisory opinions.

For advisories issued October 2009 - present, please contact the Commissioner's office by phone at 222-8700 or via email.

Recent Advisories

Unless otherwise noted, all documents are in PDF format.

09.29.23 Virtual Online Curriculum Programs
08.01.23 School Residency Determinations
5.06.22 Enrollment Protocols for students in DCYF care
4.01.22 Compensatory Education for Special Education Memo
04.20.19 East Greenwich Field Trip Policy (No. 2196)
12.21.17 Alternative Learning Plans for Charter Students
11.07.16 Letter to League of Cities and Towns on Maintenance of Effort and the Funding Formula
08.31.16 School Recess Requirements (Scanned Image) and School Recess Requirements (Accessible PDF)
03.05.13 BEP Regulations and Expiration of Teacher Contracts
03.05.13 Rhode Island Model Educator Evaluation System
01.18.13 Student Learning Objectives
12.11.12 Voluntary Transfer of Funds to the Community
06.28.12 School Building Lease and Housing Aid
06.07.12 Accrual of Seniority as an Administrator
06.07.12 Budget Deficit and the Caruolo Act
05.03.12 Control of Funds from Bond for School Repair
11.07.11 Advisory on collective bargaining and the BEP
10.07.11 Access to Public Records and Teacher Performance Data

Attorney General's Advisory
12.02.10 Recent Amendments to Statutes Governing Education Collaboratives
10.22.09 BEP Regulations and Seniority-Based Teacher Assignments

Older Advisories

Please email us if you would like a copy of any of these:

09.02.09 Attendance Reporting Memo
08.19.09 National Missing Children Day Poster Contest
08.07.09 Open Door for Superintendents Memo
07.23.09 State Fiscal Stabilization Funds Memo
07.20.09 Communication To School Districts On Commissioner's Visits
07.10.09 Communication to Superintendents on Use of Federal Stabilization Funds
05.22.09 Daily Absentee Reports Advisory
05.06.09 Critical Daily Absentee Reporting
04.29.09 Daily Attendance Advisory
04.02.09 Teacher of the Year Memo
02.28.09 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Memo
01.22.09 House Finance Committee Letter
01.22.09 SALT Visit Recruitment
01.27.09 Guidance on Collecting Information on Race and Ethnicity
11.21.08 Partnership Letter Between RIDE & RIPBS
09.26.08 Memo-High School Regulations
09.11.08 Letter Regarding Algebra II Exams
08.20.08 Report Cards-2008
07.23.08 Memo-Award of Statewide RFP to Financial Management Information Systems
07.23.08 Announcement-RFP Award FMIS
07.09.08 Memorandum SALT Survey
06.23.08 Permanent School Fund Distribution for Education Aid
04.21.08 Advisory Regarding Staffing Policy - Students with Disabilities
08.29.07 Out-of-District Transportation Letter
07.27.07 Forthcoming Classifications of High Schools
05.31.07 Development of Multi-State Algebra II End-of-Course Exam
05.07.07 Mercury Spill
04.11.07 Advisory on Algebra II Test
04.10.07 October 2005 35 Percent Eligible Data Only
04.10.07 QZAB application FY 06~07
11.08.06 Oversight of School Health Programs Pursuant to Statute and Regulation.
11.30.06 School Cancellation Notice Letter.
08.18.06 Advisory Regarding Directory Information, Access to Student Recruiting Information, and Parental Consent
07.18.06 Letter re. Medicaid Reimbursements
05.16.06 Advisory on Statewide Efficiencies
03.15.06 Advisory on School Health Programs and HIV/AIDS Curricula
12.15.05 Distribution of 2005 Report Cards
12.01.05 Enrollment of Students Who Are in DCYF Care
12.02.05 Continued Educational Services for Students Who Have Been Removed From School for Disciplinary Reasons
11.06.05 Advisory Regarding Students with Disabilities Parentally Placed in Private Schools
11.06.05 Advisory Regarding Students with Disabilities Parentally Placed in Private Schools
11.15.05 Advisory on Directory Information and Military Recruitment
09.09.05 Hurricane Katrina: Resources and Teaching Tools
09.09.05 Advisory on Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
09.09.05 Constitution Day Advisory 2005
08.05.05 NCLB Accountability Plan Revisions
Letter from Education Secretary Spellings re. Accountability Plan
07.15.05 Final FY06 Education Aid Entitlements
07.15.05 Final FY06 Charter School Aid
07.13.05 Notice that Information Works! 2005 is Complete and Online
06.20.05 Youth Health Risks Behaviors- Letter from the Commissioner
05.25.05 Moment of Remembrance
05.05.05 Impact of Assessment Transition Plan on Classifications
04.11.05 Homeless Assistance Act
12.17.04 School and District Report Cards
12.17.04 School and District Report Cards
10.29.04 Policy on Bullying Teasing and Harassment
05.27.04 Gates Network Kickoff Registration
05.26.04 Project Safe Neighborhoods
05.17.04 Information Works! 2004
04.26.04 Graduation by Proficiency Component of the High School Regulations
04.19.04 Community Service Learning Applications for Funding
04.16.04 Initial Guidance for High School Regulations
04.15.04 Regarding Medicaid Reimbursements
02.13.04 Guidance on InfoWorks! 2004
01.15.04 Education Commissioner Releases Winter-Weather Advisory
12.06.03 Transfer of School Disciplinary Regulations
11.25.03 Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer- Revised;
11.03.03 School and District Report Cards
10.15.03 Regarding Coaching Certificates
08.15.03 Unsafe School Choice Option Policy Letter
03.26.03 Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer
01.02.03 Advisory on anti-bullying policy
12.13.01 School Performance Groupings
02.16.01 FY 2002 State Aid Projections Based on the Governor's Budget
02.11.00 Grade 10 Writing Conventions Scores
11.02.99 Commercial Activities and Fundraising
10.25.99 State Aid to Education Lawsuit Notice
10.21.99 Notice Concerning Distribution of Commercial Materials
10.16.99 Charging fees for participation in extracurricular activities
10.14.99 National Education Summit 1999 Action Statement

RELATED RESOURCES

Title 16, Section 16-1-5