R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-11.2-1: “Teacher assistant” defined.

The term “teacher assistant” as used in this chapter is deemed to include any person employed to provide instructional or other direct services to students (and/or their parents/legal guardian) under the supervision and direction of the classroom teacher or other appropriately-certified professional staff. The department of elementary and secondary education shall coordinate the development of program standards for a training program for teacher assistants. The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and make program standards available.