PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island’s governor has proposed a $1.4 billion education budget.
The Providence Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2jUQ3D9) Gov. Gina Raimondo’s budget focuses on English language learners, special education students, and early childhood education. Raimondo plans to allocate a combined $7 million for English language learners and special education. The governor also wants to expand early childhood education by $1.1 million.
The proposed budget calls for an additional $45.8 million in spending for public schools over last year’s enacted budget.
Raimondo wants 75 percent of third graders reading at grade level by 2025. The governor’s early education efforts also include adding more pre-kindergarten classrooms.
Tim Duffy, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees, applauded Raimondo’s efforts, but questioned the lack of school funding for low-income districts.
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