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Pawtucket committee backs bilingual education resolution as district grows dual-language program
Summary
The committee approved a resolution supporting state bilingual education legislation while district staff reported 1,852 multilingual learners (about 23% of enrollment) and Baldwin Elementary's new K–1 dual-language program plans to add grade 2 next year.
Pawtucket school officials on March 3 voted to support a state bill to fund bilingual education while the district described early-stage growth in its dual‑language offerings.
A Baldwin dual‑language teacher, Michaela McKahi, told the committee the program opened this year with kindergarten and first grade sections and urged stronger promotion and staffing to expand enrollment sustainably. "The dual language program should be branded as what it is, a robust bilingual education," she said, urging the district to recruit certified teachers and to publicize the pathway as grades are added.
District staff reported the system now serves about 1,852 active multilingual learners, roughly 23% of the student body, and detailed the staffing structure supporting MLLs: elementary and secondary MLL teachers, instructional coaches and targeted ML support teachers. Officials said the dual‑language classroom enrollments were intentionally low in year one to build a vertically aligned program.
Community advocates pressed the committee to back the Support and Access to Bilingual Education Act (House Bill 7389 / Senate Bill 2555). Erin Papa of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island, who said she helped develop Pawtucket’s earlier dual‑language work, said the fund created by the bill would help districts recruit certified bilingual teachers and expand program sustainability. "Bilingual skills are sought after by employers across sectors," she told the committee, arguing for state investment.
The committee voted to approve a resolution supporting the state legislation and encouraged the district to form a dual‑language task force including administrators, curriculum staff, union and community partners to plan long-term expansion.
What happens next: the committee will transmit a local resolution of support to the General Assembly advocates, the administration will continue recruiting and posting dual‑language positions for next year, and community partners plan advocacy at the State House.
