New Plan for Funding Public Schools is Headed to Smith Hill
Rhode Island Foundation releases recommendations for improving the state’s formula for funding public education
The study is the result of a year of work by a Blue Ribbon Commission comprised of local education leaders and trusted community partners
The Rhode Island Foundation has released its Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations for improving the state’s approach to funding public education.
“Investing in public education is essential to Rhode Island’s future. Almost everyone agrees we need to do better. This new school funding system puts the focus on the kids in classrooms and on real fiscal accountability to ensure student success. The future of our economy depends on producing students prepared for success no matter what path they choose next. Now is time to improve how we help them achieve that,” said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO.
The recommendations are the result of a year of work by the Commission, which is comprised of local education leaders and trusted community partners, assisted by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, to study, assess and propose a new, fair public education funding formula for the state.
Among the Commission’s recommendations are four core shifts in the way the state's public education funding system works:
- Account for the full cost of education in the funding system and share those costs more equitably between municipalities and the state.
- Tailor costs to student-needs more directly.
- Require local contributions based on a municipality’s capacity to pay.
- Increase fiscal responsibility, reporting and strategic management.
For example, the current school funding formula does not include costs like school buses and school maintenance, making cities and towns responsible for covering 100 percent of those expenses. Under the proposed formula, the state will share some of those expenses as part of the core cost of educating students.
“The current system for funding our schools is unpredictable and insufficient. Enacting this transparent, deliberate, research-based approach will improve educational outcomes for students across Rhode Island,” said Cicilline, who co-chaired the Commission with Nora E. Gordon, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
The recommendations will be the basis of legislation that will be introduced in the 2026 session of the General Assembly. The Foundation has already briefed the Governor’s office and legislative leaders on the Commission’s findings.
In addition to hearing from national, regional and local experts, Commission members engaged with their respective constituencies. Complementing those efforts, Annenberg conducted over 45 interviews with local stakeholders and national experts.
Also feeding into the recommendations for an education funding formula were working groups on accountability and student perspective. The full Commission report is posted at rifoundation.org/FairFunding.
The members of the Commission are:
- Rania Aghia, Rhode Island Teachers of English Language Learners
- Mary K. Barden, National Education Association Rhode Island
- Marcela Betancur, Latino Policy Institute
- Maribeth Calabro, Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals
- Peter Chung, Young Voices
- Chiara Deltito-Sharrott, Rhode Island League of Charter Public Schools
- Michael DiBiase, Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council
- Timothy C. Duffy, Rhode Island Association of School Committees
- Michael D. Hassell, Rhode Island Association of School Principals
- Lisa A. Hildebrand, Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children
- John Kelly, Meeting Street
- Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, The Economic Progress Institute
- Jeannine Nota-Masse, Rhode Island Superintendents Association
- Paige Parks, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
- Randy R. Rossi, Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns
- Ramona Santos Torres, Parents Leading for Educational Equity
Education and Student Success is one of the Foundation’s Community Priorities. In the past five years, the Foundation has awarded over $26 million in grants to support education priorities.
“Education is the great equalizer. It supports economic growth, creates opportunity, enhances economic mobility and produces graduates who are prepared to prosper in their careers and to make a difference in their community,” said Cicilline.
The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, together with neighbors and partners, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.
