Bars the council from granting approval to create or expand a charter school beginning operations in 26-27 school year and bars the state from approving or appropriating funds to a new charter school not approved before July 1, 2025.
Provides any student, who meets the requirements of this section, with an exemption from paying nonresident tuition at Rhode Island public universities, colleges, or community colleges.
Prohibits participation in federal school voucher tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations unless both the general assembly and the governor approve such participation.
This bill establishes a new fund within the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support bilingual education programs in public schools. The primary mechanism is a grant program that provides financial assistance to school districts, community organizations, and universities for planning and implementing dual language instruction models, particularly in areas with high numbers of multilingual learners. Additionally, the legislation creates a strategy to increase the number of certified bilingual teachers by streamlining certification processes and funding professional development. Eligible recipients must adhere to specific high-quality standards and focus on developing curricula and staffing plans that serve students in both English and their home languages.
SB 2667, the "Rhode Island Childcare Is Essential Act," would expand eligibility for Rhode Island's state childcare assistance program to align with federal standards. This change would directly affect low-income working families who currently may not qualify for state childcare subsidies under current rules. The key mechanism is adjusting the state's income and asset thresholds to match the federal benchmark, potentially allowing more families to access subsidized childcare. The bill aims to increase access to affordable childcare for working parents without adding new state costs.
This bill establishes rules for the governance of mayoral academies in Rhode Island, which are charter schools serving students from multiple cities and towns. It requires that only a mayor or town administrator from each participating community can serve as a voting member on the school's board of directors or trustees. The legislation also allows for nonvoting advisory members from each included town and mandates that student admission be determined by lottery when enrollment exceeds available spaces. Additionally, the bill ensures that no student or teacher is required to participate in these academies and that school districts must facilitate transfers for those who opt out.
Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the community college of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.
Specifies that pre-k programs for three (3) – and four (4) – years olds be added to programs to increase access to voluntary, free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs.
Establishes guidelines, rules and regulations for the implementation and expansion of prekindergarten education programs for children ages 3-4 to increase children’s school readiness statewide.
This bill creates a new seven-member board of trustees to govern the Central Falls School District, replacing the current special state administrator and advisory group. The board members will be appointed by the state Board of Regents, with at least four required to be local residents and parents of current or former students in the district. Under this structure, the state commissioner of education retains significant oversight, including the power to intervene in school management if deemed necessary, while the new board handles policy-making, budget approval, and superintendent appointments. Additionally, the legislation amends state funding rules to provide direct state support for high-cost special education students and career and technical education programs.
