McKee Signs Charter Law That Stops Rhode Island's First K–12 Dual-Language Community School
After completing the state’s rigorous review process and earning preliminary approval, De La Comunidad Bilingual was preparing to open Rhode Island’s first dual-language, full-service, K–12 community school
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In a complete reversal of his historic K-12 policy positions and values, Governor Dan McKee has signed the charter public school ban into law. This harmful law permanently decreases the number of charter public schools that can open in Rhode Island in perpetuity. For at least three years, it also prevents any new charter public school seats from being made available to families who are seeking them. And perhaps most shockingly, this law breaks a promise already made to hundreds of families by the State of Rhode Island, by blocking De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School from opening, even though the dual-language community school earned preliminary approval to open in fall 2027.
The legislation, which was initially sponsored by House Representative Mary Messier, a Pawtucket Democrat, and Senator Melissa Murray, a North Smithfield Democrat, passed the Rhode Island General Assembly before being signed into law by Governor McKee despite opposition from thousands of families and community members. De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School completed every step of the Department of Education's rigorous Request for Proposals process and drew more than 1,700 letters of support.
The school earned preliminary approval from the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education and was working toward final authorization to become Rhode Island's first dual-language, full-service community school serving students in grades K through 12. Supporters of the school expressed deep concern that overturning a decision reached through a nationally recognized process undermines the integrity of Rhode Island's authorization system and erodes the trust that families and communities place in it.
“Rhode Island has worked to create an authorization process that is thorough, transparent, and focused on ensuring schools are prepared to serve students and families,” said Carol Aguasvivas, board chair of De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School. “When a school completes that process and receives preliminary approval, families deserve confidence that the work, evaluation, and commitment behind that decision are being respected. Our focus is on ensuring students and families have access to high-quality educational opportunities and that the process continues to be fair and consistent.”
The legislation comes despite strong demand from Rhode Island families for additional public school options and broad public support for charter public schools, with recent polling showing 71% of Rhode Island voters in favor of them.
“For the families who helped build this school, this is an incredibly painful moment,” said Joshua Laplante, Founding Superintendent of De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School. “Parents, educators, community leaders, and students came together around a shared vision of a school where children could become bilingual, biliterate, and academically prepared for the future. They participated in the process the state asked them to participate in, and they did so in good faith. Today, many of those families are left wondering whether their voices ever truly mattered.”
Laplante noted that De La Comunidad Bilingual was intentionally designed to grow responsibly and complement existing educational offerings while serving multilingual learners and families seeking a dual-language educational experience. Despite the legislation, school leaders remain grateful to the thousands of families, educators, community organizations, and supporters who contributed to the vision for De La Comunidad Bilingual.
“While this legislation may stop this school from moving forward, it does not erase the need that families identified, the community support that made this effort possible, or the belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality public school that meets their needs,” Laplante said. “The conversations that led to De La Comunidad Bilingual are far from over.”
About De La Comunidad Public Charter School
De La Comunidad Bilingual, a full-service bilingual charter public school that will serve students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in Providence, Pawtucket, and Cranston, prepares students to graduate bilingual and biliterate, college-ready, and engaged in their communities through rigorous academics, bilingual instruction, and comprehensive family supports. The school's vision is rooted in the belief that language is power and that every child deserves access to an education that honors who they are and where they come from. Learn more at dlcbilingual.org.
