2023 -- H 6125
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LC001995
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $750,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR
PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIO N OVER TREE FISCAL YEARS
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Cruz, Tanzi, and Giraldo
Date Introduced: March 03, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to diversify the teaching profession in Rhode Island 1
and nationally to address the large and growing gap between the percentage of students of color 2
and the percentage of teachers of color. Currently, fewer than five percent of teachers in Rhode 3
Island identify as people of color; and 4
WHEREAS, Teachers from a similar background as their students are uniquely 5
positioned to explain new material in a culturally relevant way. Although more teachers of color 6
are being recruited across the nation, the pace of increase is slow and attrition rates are high, 7
leaving growing gaps between the demand for such teachers and the supply; and 8
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) has the 9
express mission to recruit more teachers of color to RI’s public schools as a means of correcting 10
centuries of injustice in the educational field. All the data shows that having teachers of color in 11
the classroom improves outcomes of all kinds, academic and otherwise, for all our children; and 12
WHEREAS, RISPE trains aspiring educators of color in high-quality teacher preparation 13
programming that is accessible, affordable, and designed specifically for the needs of Rhode 14
Island’s public school children. RISPE will train a critical mass of educators who can contribute 15
to a school culture shift in Rhode Island’s public schools for the benefit of all the children who 16
attend these schools; and 17
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education’s highest aim is to 18
ensure a strong educational system for a strong democracy and is committed to building a 19
LC001995 - Page 2 of 3
powerful educational workforce that reflects the strengths and diversity of our State’s 1
communities; and 2
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education alone cannot create 3
opportunity for the many aspiring educators of color across our state without the financial 4
contributions that support their program; now, therefore be it 5
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not 6
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2023-2024, the sum of two hundred fifty thousand 7
dollars ($250,000) to the RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island 8
School for Progressive Education. Further, an additional appropriation of two hundred fifty 9
thousand dollars ($250,000) shall be appropriated to the RI Office of the Postsecondary 10
Commissioner for the Rhode Island School for Progressive Education in the fiscal year 2024-11
2025, and a further additional appropriation of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) 12
shall be appropriated to the RI office of the Postsecondary Commissioner for the Rhode Island 13
School for Progressive Education in the fiscal year 2025-2026, for a total appropriation of seven 14
hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000), to be disbursed over the next three fiscal years. The 15
state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw orders upon the general treasurer for the 16
payment of said sum, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. 17
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LC001995
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LC001995 - Page 3 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 APPROPRIAT ION OF $750,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL FOR
PROGRESSIVE EDUCATIO N OVER TREE FISCAL YEARS
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This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the total sum of seven hundred 1
fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) to the Rhode Island School of Progressive Education, for a 2
period of three (3) fiscal years, to be distributed in three (3) equal installments. 3
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LC001995
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