Testimony in Support of SB2917
An Act Relating to Education – Support and Access to Bilingual Education Create a Dual Language Program Fund Administered by RIDE
Senate Committee on Education
April 3, 2024
Kavya Gopinath, Policy Analyst, Economic Progress Institute
The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Cano’s SB2917, which creates a dual language program fund administered by RIDE for districts to start, expand, and improve PK-12 dual language programs.
All students deserve equal opportunities to learn regardless of language barriers. Currently, Rhode Island is underinvesting in its multilingual learners. A 2023 Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) study found that Rhode Island ranks 5th lowest out of 31 states in spending on multilingual learners. Rhode Island severely lags behind its neighbors, spending $1,100 less per student annually than Connecticut and $1,060 less per student than Massachusetts. This is especially concerning considering that the multilingual learner population in RI has grown by 62.8 percent since 2015 and currently makes up 12.5 percent of the overall student population.1
The solution is to increase funding for dual language programs that encourage students to engage with materials in two different languages. These programs embrace the culture of multilingual learners and encourage them to see their language skills as an asset.2 Dual language programs have been shown to improve English reading proficiency, decrease dropout rates, increase the likelihood of going to college, and improve economic outcomes for multilingual students.3
Dual language programs also benefit students who speak English as a first language. In the US, bilingual employees are paid an average of 5 to 20 percent more than if they were monolingual. Ninety percent of US employers report a reliance on employees who know a language other than English. Multilingualism is a growing priority among employers; to ensure students have opportunities to succeed and Rhode Island has a strong workforce, we must invest in dual language programs and students.
SB2917 would improve equity in Rhode Island by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn regardless of language barriers. Multilingual students are also more likely to live in low-income households and attend high-poverty schools, so this bill would target and improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities. 4 The Economic Progress Institute strongly urges passage of SB2917.