Bill > H5982

This bill establishes the Support and Access to Bilingual Education (SABE) Act to promote and fund dual language programs within local education agencies (LEAs) in Rhode Island. The legislation appropriates $300,000 to create a dual language program fund within the department of elementary and secondary education, with grants available to school districts that meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, LEAs must have a multilingual learner student population exceeding 15% of total enrollment and use a high-quality bilingual language instruction program. The bill defines dual language programs as instructional methods that promote proficiency in both English and another language, including two-way immersion and one-way immersion models. Eligible LEAs can use the funds for program planning, professional development, curriculum materials, and staffing to support kindergarten through 12th-grade dual language instruction. The bill emphasizes the economic and educational benefits of bilingualism, noting that language proficiency can support economic growth, cross-cultural communication, and academic achievement. The legislation is rooted in existing state policies that affirm the importance of native language instruction and multilingual learning, with the ultimate goal of promoting educational equity and improving academic outcomes for students. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

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