Education

SB 2528 would repeal Rhode Island's requirement for statewide academic standards in core subjects like math, English, science, and history for all public schools. It removes legal mandates that previously directed the education commissioner to develop these standards and create curriculum frameworks aligned with specific goals, including cultural diversity and college readiness. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools in Rhode Island by eliminating these state-level curriculum requirements. (Note: The bill was introduced on February 13, 2026, and has not yet been enacted.)

Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.

SB 2293, the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," requires public schools and colleges to designate athletic teams for students based on biological sex at birth (not gender identity), with teams for females, women, or girls open only to students assigned female at birth. It mandates verification of biological sex through a physician's statement documenting reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup, and prohibits male-identified students from joining female-designated teams. The bill protects schools from complaints or investigations for maintaining separate sex-based teams and allows students to sue if denied athletic opportunities due to violations. This directly affects public school athletic programs, college sports teams, and transgender student-athletes in the state.

Changes the teacher and state employees' retirement benefit calculations' cutoff date from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2012, for all retirement members eligible to and who retire on or after the new July 1, 2012, cutoff date.

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.