Rhode Island Foundation Recommends Changes To State's School Funding System

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Foundation released its Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations for changes to the state’s approach to funding public education.

“Investing in public education is essential to Rhode Island’s future," foundation President and CEO David N. Cicilline said in a media release.

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"Almost everyone agrees we need to do better," Cicilline said. "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.”

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The recommendations are the result of a year of work by the commission, which is comprised of local education leaders and 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, according to the release.

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The release listed four "core shifts" public education funding recommended by the commission:

• 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," the release said. "Under the proposed formula, the state will share some of those expenses as part of the core cost of educating students."

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The recommendations will be the basis of legislation introduced in the 2026 session of the General Assembly, according to the release.

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