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H8355
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
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WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to diversify the teaching profession in Rhode Island
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and nationally to address the large and growing gap between the percentage of students of color
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and the percentage of teachers of color. Currently, fewer than five percent of teachers in Rhode
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Island identify as people of color; and
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WHEREAS, Teachers from a similar background as their students are uniquely
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positioned to explain new material in a culturally relevant way. Although more teachers of color
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are being recruited across the nation, the pace of increase is slow and attrition rates are high,
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leaving growing gaps between the demand for such teachers and the supply; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) has the
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intentional mission to recruit more teachers of color to RI's public schools as a means of
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correcting centuries of injustice in the educational field. All the data shows that having teachers
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of color in the classroom improves outcomes of all kinds, academic and otherwise, for all our
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children; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education trains aspiring
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educators of color in high-quality teacher preparation programming that is accessible, affordable,
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and designed specifically for the needs of Rhode Island's public school children. RISPE will train
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a critical mass of educators who can contribute to a school culture shift in Rhode Island's public
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schools for the benefit of all the children who attend these schools; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education's highest aim is to
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ensure a strong educational system for a strong democracy and is committed to building a
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powerful educational workforce that reflects the strengths and diversity of our State's
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communities; and
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WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education alone cannot create
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opportunity for the many aspiring educators of color across our State without the financial
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contributions that support their program; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the sum of three hundred
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thousand dollars ($300,000) to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode
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Island School for Progressive Education, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed
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to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, upon receipt of
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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
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $300,000 to the Rhode
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Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive
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Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
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