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HB 7909

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND LITERACY AND DROPOUT PREVENTION ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island establishes comprehensive literacy improvement and dropout prevention programs across K-12 schools to boost academic outcomes and student retention rates.

04/09/2026 House read and passed
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Bill Summary · HB 7909

Legislative bill overview

HB 7909, the Rhode Island Literacy and Dropout Prevention Act, establishes comprehensive measures to improve literacy outcomes and reduce student dropout rates in the state's education system. The bill likely includes provisions for literacy intervention programs, early identification of at-risk students, and targeted support mechanisms across K-12 schools.

Why is this important

Literacy proficiency is foundational to academic success and future economic opportunity, with early literacy gaps correlating strongly to long-term educational and employment outcomes. Dropout prevention directly impacts workforce readiness, crime rates, and public health metrics while reducing costs associated with social services and incarceration.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms: Whether new revenue sources or budget reallocations will support implementation without straining existing school budgets
  • Implementation standards: Clarity on which literacy curricula/methods will be required versus recommended, as reading instruction approaches generate ongoing professional debate
  • Accountability measures: How success will be measured and what consequences schools face for failing to meet literacy or dropout prevention targets
  • Resource equity: Whether the bill adequately addresses how rural, under-resourced, and high-need districts will access specialized literacy instruction and intervention programs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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