2026 -- H 8355

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LC006200

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE

POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, and Potter

     Date Introduced: March 25, 2026

     Referred To: House 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

intentional 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, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education 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 ending June 30, 2027, the sum of three hundred

thousand dollars ($300,000) to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode

Island School for Progressive Education, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed

to draw his 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 $300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE

POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR

PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION

***

     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $300,000 to the Rhode

Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive

Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

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