2024 -- S 2964

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LC003789

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $750,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION OVER THREE FISCAL YEARS

     Introduced By: Senators Mack, Bissaillon, and Cano

     Date Introduced: April 05, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to diversify the teaching profession in Rhode Island

and nationally to address the large and growing gap between the percentage of students of color

and the percentage of teachers of color. Currently, fewer than five percent of teachers in Rhode

Island identify as people of color; and

     WHEREAS, Teachers from a similar background as their students are uniquely

positioned to explain new material in a culturally relevant way. Although more teachers of color

are being recruited across the nation, the pace of increase is slow and attrition rates are high,

leaving growing gaps between the demand for such teachers and the supply; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) has the

express mission to recruit more teachers of color to RI’s public schools as a means of correcting

centuries of injustice in the educational field. All the data shows that having teachers of color in

the classroom improves outcomes of all kinds, academic and otherwise, for all our children; and

     WHEREAS, RISPE trains aspiring educators of color in high-quality teacher preparation

programming that is accessible, affordable, and designed specifically for the needs of Rhode

Island’s public school children. RISPE will train a critical mass of educators who can contribute

to a school culture shift in Rhode Island’s public schools for the benefit of all the children who

attend these schools; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education’s highest aim is to

ensure a strong educational system for a strong democracy and is committed to building a

powerful educational workforce that reflects the strengths and diversity of our State’s

communities; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education alone cannot create

opportunity for the many aspiring educators of color across our state without the financial

contributions that support their program; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2024-2025, the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand

dollars ($750,000), from which the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be

appropriated to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for

Progressive Education during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and two hundred fifty thousand dollars

($250,000) to be appropriated to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode

Island School for Progressive Education in the fiscal year 2025-2026, and an additional

appropriation of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be appropriated to the RI

office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education

in the fiscal year 2026-2027, for a total appropriation of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars

($750,000), to be disbursed over the three consecutive fiscal years. The state controller is hereby

authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum,

upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $750,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION OVER THREE FISCAL YEARS

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     This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the total sum of seven hundred

fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) to the Rhode Island School of Progressive Education, for a

period of three (3) fiscal years, to be distributed in three (3) equal installments.

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