This bill, titled the "Language Academies Act," would amend Title 16 of the General Laws to establish language academies for non-English proficient students. The Rhode Island Department of Education would be responsible for establishing and staffing these academies, which would aim to help students become proficient in English. The bill also authorizes the department to utilize existing school buildings in cities or towns where at least 10% of the students who will attend the language academy reside. Language academies would be eligible for state aid and funding from the Rhode Island Education Revitalization Fund. Any student who is unable to obtain English proficiency would be assigned to a language academy, and a tutorial program would be developed for instances where it is not feasible or economical to provide non-English proficient students with a classroom environment. Transportation to the language academies would be provided, and the department of education would promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of this chapter.
The bill also establishes the Rhode Island Education Revitalization Fund Act, which would create a statewide property tax on private colleges and universities, nonprofit colleges and universities, and other post-secondary schools. The amount of the tax would be based on the endowment of these institutions, and the funds collected would be included in the annual budget bill approved by the General Assembly. This act would take effect upon passage.