Permits students at failing schools to enroll in any public school and also established the Rhode Island education revitalization fund to provide funding to the school choice program.
The legislation not only facilitates school choice for affected students but also establishes the Rhode Island Education Revitalization Fund. This fund is designed to provide financial support for the school choice program, ensuring that receiving schools are compensated for the added enrollment. The sending local education agency (LEA) will cover the costs associated with students transferring, especially for those with special needs, which aims to alleviate financial burdens on individual schools. This financial mechanism might lead to increased collaboration between districts to manage the impacts of student transfers.
Bill S0393, known as the Failing School Choice Act, aims to provide an opportunity for students enrolled in the bottom fifteen percent of public schools in Rhode Island to transfer to any public school with available capacity. The bill encourages parental choice, allowing families to petition for enrollment in schools that they believe would better meet their children's educational needs. By broadening access to educational options, the intention is to improve educational outcomes for students attending failing schools.
Notable points of contention regarding S0393 may arise from debates over the implications of school choice on community schools and funding distribution. Opponents might express concerns that allowing students to leave failing schools could exacerbate inequalities among public schools, leading to a concentration of resources in higher-performing schools. Furthermore, questions about the adequacy and sources of funding—particularly regarding the statewide property tax imposed on private colleges to support the education fund—could also be contentious, as some stakeholders may see this as an undue burden on post-secondary institutions in the state.