 |
|
5/28/2026
|
Senate approves DiMario bill to make teacher and student representatives on Board of Education voting members
|
STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Alana M. DiMario to make the Rhode Island teacher of the year and the chair of the student advisory council full voting members of the state’s Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.
“Students and educators have the firsthand experience and deep knowledge of our education system that are essential for making informed policy decisions. To ensure our kids get the education they deserve, their voices need to be recognized,” said Senator DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham). “Currently, no voting members of the Board of Education work or learn in a classroom every day. This bill will elevate the voices of a high-quality classroom teacher and a student leader to better inform our education policies and improve the decision-making process to better serve our students.”
Currently, the most recent Rhode Island teacher of the year and the chair of the student advisory council serve as nonvoting members on the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. Senator DiMario’s bill (2026-S 2077) would make both these positions full voting seats.
The bill now heads to the House, where Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2026-H 7907).
Senator DiMario also sponsored the legislation (2023-S 0182A, 2023-H 6052A) that first added the Rhode Island teacher of the year to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education as a nonvoting member in 2023.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
|
|