Legislative & Policy Agenda 2026
Policy we have helped push forward.
Rhode Island Education Collective advocates for policies that expand opportunity, strengthen public education, and improve outcomes for students and families across Rhode Island.
Explore the legislation and policy priorities we are helping advance, as well as the policies we oppose when they threaten educational opportunity.
Strengthening opportunity across Rhode Island.
Strengthening Teacher Pathways Through Advancement of a Study Commission
This resolution creates a 17-member legislative study commission to examine how Rhode Island recruits, prepares, licenses, and supports educators. It frames the educator workforce as both an equity issue and a long-term economic priority, with a focus on shortage areas such as special education, multilingual education, STEM, and CTE.
- Expanding multiple, high-quality pathways into teaching
- Making teaching financially sustainable
- Removing unnecessary barriers while maintaining strong standards
- Strengthening mentoring and early-career supports
- Positioning Rhode Island as a national leader in educator workforce innovation
- For students: More access to strong, consistent teachers in every classroom
- For families: Greater stability and fewer vacancies or long-term substitutes
- For the system: A stronger, more diverse pipeline without lowering standards
Great public schools depend on great educators. This effort rebuilds the pipeline while maintaining rigor and accountability.
Access to Open Seats in High-Performing Public Schools
This legislation ensures that unused seats in public schools are made available to students within the same district through a transparent and fair process.
- Opens unused seats to students across attendance zones within a district
- Requires public posting and fair assignment processes
- Establishes clear, transparent rules when demand exceeds supply
- Protects against discrimination and ensures equitable access
- Requires annual public reporting by districts and RIDE
- For students: Access to better-fit schools without leaving their district
- For families: Fair, transparent access to opportunities already funded by taxpayers
- For the system: Reduces reliance on informal systems or geographic luck
- Maximizes existing public school capacity
- Prioritizes access for students in lower-performing schools
- Ensures protections for multilingual learners and students with disabilities
Safer Public Schools for Every Student
We support legislation that ensures students are safe, supported, and prepared in moments of crisis.
- Submitted formal written testimony in support of HB7026 and HB7027
- Submitted written and verbal testimony in support of HB7003
Rhode Island Current Coverage →
Safe schools are foundational to learning. When students feel secure and supported, they are better able to focus, grow, and succeed.
Bringing More Talent Into the Teaching Profession for All Public School
We support policies that reduce unnecessary barriers and make teaching a more accessible and sustainable profession.
- Reduces financial barriers for educators
- Supports retention of experienced teachers
- Expands access for aspiring educators
A strong educator workforce is the backbone of strong schools. Reducing barriers helps ensure every student has access to excellent teaching.
Oppose Charter Moratoriums and Restrictions That Hurt Students
We oppose legislation that limits access to public school options or disrupts approved school plans.
Oppose Charter Moratoriums and Restrictions That Hurt Students
We oppose legislation that limits access to public school options or disrupts approved school plans.
- Submitted formal opposition testimony
- Coordinated statewide advocacy efforts
- Restricts educational options for families
- Undermines community demand, especially in underserved communities
- Disrupts already-approved schools like De La Comunidad Bilingual Charter School
- Shifts focus away from real funding and system challenges
Rhode Island should focus on improving funding systems and expanding access, not limiting opportunity or creating division between public school models.
Education policy affects every Rhode Island student.
Stay informed, engage with the issues, and help shape the future of public education in Rhode Island.