Rhode Island Senate Votes Against Children of Color
RI Education Collective, Stop the Wait RI, and De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School Urge House to Reject Legislation that Eliminates Charter Public School Growth and Rescinds the Approval Process for De La Comunidad Bilingual Charter Public School
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In a move that child and family advocates say silences Black, Brown, and immigrant families seeking better educational opportunities for their children, the Rhode Island Senate has voted to permanently slash K-12 public school options for families and children in Rhode Island.
In passing S2787A, the Senate has agreed to permanently lower the cap on charter public schools and set a three-year moratorium on any charter public school opportunities — while simultaneously revoking authorization for the approval of the De La Comunidad Bilingual School, which received preliminary approval to open next year.
"Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly support charter public school growth, but the Senate is ignoring the data in favor of arguments driven by people whose privilege and self-interest outweigh any concern for whether Black, Brown, and immigrant children receive a quality education," said Victor Capellán, founder and CEO of Rhode Island Education Collective. "This legislation would strip away educational options from the children who need them most. We refuse to stay silent. We are calling on the House of Representatives to stop this ban before it creates unintended consequences and does unnecessary and irreversible damage."
The demand for charter public school seats across Rhode Island is not a trend — it is a crisis. Last year, more than 9,000 families submitted applications for just 3,100 available charter public school slots statewide. De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School, which has already received preliminary approval from the Rhode Island Department of Education, would serve students from Cranston, Pawtucket, and Providence beginning in 2027.
"This legislation retroactively kills De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School, which completed every step of the state's request for proposal process," said Carol Aguasvivas, board chairperson of De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School. "De La Comunidad Bilingual Public Charter School would be the only K-12 public school in Rhode Island built specifically for the community — and this bill would shut it down before it opens a single classroom. This is educational redlining: a calculated effort to deny opportunity to families who already have the least, while protecting political power and systems that have always favored the privileged. It pulls the ladder up on communities that have been fighting for a foothold for generations."
The bill runs counter to what Rhode Island voters say they want. Recent polling finds 71 percent of Rhode Island voters support expanding access to charter public schools — and two out of three families seeking a charter seat for their child cannot get one because demand far outpaces available seats.
"Families not only deserve options — they’re asking for them. The Senate’s passing of this legislation blatantly ignores that desire from Rhode Island voters and puts the wants of politicians before those of families looking for educational environments where their children will best thrive,” said Janie Segui Rodríguez, founder and CEO of Stop the Wait Rhode Island. “Parents are always told to show up and advocate for their kids — and then they’re forced to wait. When it’s their turn to speak their truths, they are called a ‘dog and pony show.’ And even with resounding support for more opportunities like charter public schools, they are told to wait some more. We are tired of waiting and being ignored.”
About Rhode Island Education Collective
Launched in 2024, Rhode Island Education Collective is a nonprofit working to ensure every child in the state—regardless of race, economic situation, or location—can access a great public school. The Collective empowers families, educators, and community members, particularly those historically marginalized by the public education system, to create meaningful change for students. Learn more at rieducationcollective.org.
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.
About Stop the Wait Rhode Island
Stop the Wait RI is a parent-led organization building collective power to transform public education in Rhode Island. Through training programs, community organizing, and policy advocacy, STWRI equips parents to become frontline advocates — for their own children and for every child in their community. Rhode Island has the longest charter public school waitlist in the country, and STWRI believes the children of Rhode Island cannot afford to wait. The organization works across parent education, leadership development, civic engagement, and policy advocacy. To learn more, visit stopthewaitri.org/.
