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.
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
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