Section 200-RICR-20-20-2.5 - Competency standardA. A teacher, or prospective teacher, must:1. Read, write, and speak the English language with sufficient competence to allow him or her to effectively teach students and prepare these students for success in required local and state assessments and evaluations. Competency includes the ability to spell and to use correct grammar.2. Have English skills necessary to fully participate in advisories and common planning time with other school professionals.3. Have English skills necessary to enable the teacher to fully profit from participation in staff-development programs.4. Have English skills sufficient to allow the teacher to deal with disciplinary situations, to understand the import of student comments that might constitute bullying or harassment, and to respond to student health, psychological, and social issues, along with other issues involving the immediate safety and welfare of students.B. The fact that a teacher, or a prospective teacher, speaks with an accent shall not be considered evidence that the teacher, or prospective teacher, is not competent in English, unless the accent is so strong that it meaningfully impairs intelligibility. This standard must be interpreted in a way that complies with all applicable federal and state civil rights rules and regulations.200 R.I. Code R. 200-RICR-20-20-2.5