JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $300,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION (Authorizes 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.)

H8355

2026 -- H 8355
========
LC006200
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
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
1
WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to diversify the teaching profession in Rhode Island
2
and nationally to address the large and growing gap between the percentage of students of color
3
and the percentage of teachers of color. Currently, fewer than five percent of teachers in Rhode
4
Island identify as people of color; and
5
WHEREAS, Teachers from a similar background as their students are uniquely
6
positioned to explain new material in a culturally relevant way. Although more teachers of color
7
are being recruited across the nation, the pace of increase is slow and attrition rates are high,
8
leaving growing gaps between the demand for such teachers and the supply; and
9
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) has the
10
intentional mission to recruit more teachers of color to RI's public schools as a means of
11
correcting centuries of injustice in the educational field. All the data shows that having teachers
12
of color in the classroom improves outcomes of all kinds, academic and otherwise, for all our
13
children; and
14
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education trains aspiring
15
educators of color in high-quality teacher preparation programming that is accessible, affordable,
16
and designed specifically for the needs of Rhode Island's public school children. RISPE will train
17
a critical mass of educators who can contribute to a school culture shift in Rhode Island's public
18
schools for the benefit of all the children who attend these schools; and
19
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education's highest aim is to

1
ensure a strong educational system for a strong democracy and is committed to building a
2
powerful educational workforce that reflects the strengths and diversity of our State's
3
communities; and
4
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education alone cannot create
5
opportunity for the many aspiring educators of color across our State without the financial
6
contributions that support their program; now, therefore be it
7
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
8
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the sum of three hundred
9
thousand dollars ($300,000) to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode
10
Island School for Progressive Education, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed
11
to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, upon receipt of
12
properly authenticated vouchers.
========
LC006200
========

LC006200 - Page 2 of 3
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
***
1
This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $300,000 to the Rhode
2
Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive
3
Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
========
LC006200
========

LC006200 - Page 3 of 3