Supporting New Regulations for Multilingual Learners
Last fall, the Rhode Island Department of Education proposed revisions to its Multilingual Learner (MLL) regulations with the goal of improving outcomes for these students, who have long been underserved by our schools. Our founder and CEO, Victor Capellan, has been actively advocating for these changes by, for example, submitting the below public testimony and voicing his support to the Providence School Board.
“Rhode Island Education Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that every child in Rhode Island has access to a great public school. On behalf of our organization, we are submitting public testimony in strong support of the proposed revisions to the Multilingual Learner (MLL) regulations from the Rhode Island Department of Education. These updates represent a crucial step forward in addressing systemic inequities and ensuring that all students, regardless of their language background, can access high-quality education.
MLLs now represent 36% of Providence’s student body, reflecting a 30% increase over the past five years. Rhode Island currently has the highest percentage of MLL students in New England and ranks fifth nationally. These children bring immense potential to our classrooms, yet they remain underserved under the current system. The proposed revisions aim to address this reality by prioritizing key elements such as:
Access to culturally responsive practices and high-quality instructional materials tailored to meet the needs of MLL students.
Strengthened family engagement efforts, including dedicated school-family liaisons to ensure parents and caregivers are involved in their children’s education.
A focus on professional learning and the certification of educators to equip them with the tools and competencies needed to support MLL students effectively.
“These regulations are not just a response to current needs—they are a moral and legal obligation. Federal laws such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act mandate that we provide equitable education for all students. By adopting these regulations, we demonstrate a commitment to fulfilling these obligations and addressing the needs of our increasingly diverse student population.”
