Taveras: Legislature Failed to Meet Education Needs
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Providence Democratic mayoral candidate Angel Taveras today called on the General Assembly to pass a “fair funding formula” for Rhode Island public schools.
“The legislature has failed to address the pressing educational needs of all Rhode Island students, especially those students in Providence public schools, for far too long,” Taveras said in a letter to legislators.
“Over 85% of Providence students are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, over 14% are English language learners and more than 18% have special learning needs. The achievement gap between students in Providence schools and their peers in neighboring districts is staggering,” Taveras added.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTaveras called for a bill that would take into account the higher costs of teaching English Language Learners, develop a formula tied to local property values, and increase state funding for local education.
