2024 -- H 8152

========

LC005925

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2024 TO BE "BILINGUAL AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNER

MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McEntee,
Chippendale, Alzate, Stewart, Giraldo, Kennedy, and Shallcross Smith

     Date Introduced: April 09, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is and has always been a multilingual state; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout Rhode Island history, there have been Narragansett, Portuguese,

Italian, Haitian, Creole, Khmer, Cape Verdean, French, Spanish, and many more languages

spoken in our communities. Unfortunately, our language stories have often been ones of loss as

many grandchildren cannot converse with their grandparents because students are pushed to

forget their home language in order to assimilate to an English-centric educational system and

therefore are forced to re-learn their own native language later in life; and

     WHEREAS, Our linguistic and cultural diversity is a strength that should be celebrated

and nurtured; and

     WHEREAS, Bilingual and multilingual learners are one of the fastest growing student

populations within American schools and this group of students brings multiple assets to our

educational system and adds a rich layer of diversity amongst our students; and

     WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month is an opportunity to draw

attention to the persistent gap between bilingual and multilingual learners and native English-

speaking students; and

     WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month calls on stakeholders at all levels

to examine the diverse needs of bilingual and multilingual learners and to build an inclusive and

respectful culture; and

     WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month highlights a commitment to

ensure educational equity and access, allowing these learners to thrive academically and become

productive bi-literate and multiliterate global citizens, and encourages institutions to adopt

policies and practices such as dual language instructional programs that value and use students’

languages and cultural assets to learn high academic content, promote long-term academic

achievement, and increase graduation rates; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April of 2024 to be "Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month" in the State of Rhode

Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby thanks bilingual and multilingual students,

educators, school workers, supporters and advocates across the nation for their service to our

communities and encourages all residents to advocate for bilingual and multilingual education in

order to ensure that all Rhode Island students become bilingual, multilingual and bi-literate and

are prepared for full participation in our State and world; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Angelica Infante-Green, Commissioner, Rhode

Island Department of Education.

========

LC005925

========

LC005925 - Page 2 of 2