Senate approves joint resolution to place constitutional 'right to an adequate education' before voters, sponsor cites large undercount of low‑income students

The Rhode Island Senate approved S 2018, a joint resolution to submit a constitutional amendment establishing a right to an adequate education to the state's electors. The clerk recorded 36 votes in the affirmative and 0 opposed.

Sponsor Senator Acosta framed the measure as a remedy to what he called a persistent undercount of low‑income students that reduces per‑pupil funding. "We have been systematically undercounting poor kids in the state of Rhode Island every year for the last 3 years," Acosta said, and estimated the annual undercount at "anywhere from 4,000 to 14,000" students, producing a shortfall he described in the millions.

Acosta told colleagues the constitutional amendment would create enforceable recourse for families and districts if funding shortfalls persist, and cited past lawsuits in which judges found problems but said the constitution's wording prevented enforcement. "All we have to do is change the constitution," he said, arguing that the amendment would allow courts to hold the state accountable for providing an adequate education.

Senator Bell spoke in support and urged the Legislature to use this session to fix student poverty counting in the funding formula, noting that similar constitutional language in other states has been enforced by courts. "We do have recourse about the undercounting of students in poverty... before that happens, we should actually fix it this legislative session," Bell said.

The Senate moved and approved the joint resolution by roll-call; the clerk recorded 36 affirmative votes, 0 against. The measure will proceed to the next statutory step for placement before electors.