RIBBE Applauds Increased Funding for Career and Technical Education Proposed in FY 2025 House Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2024
RIBBE Applauds Increased Funding for Career and Technical
Education Proposed in FY 2025 House Budget
RIBBE Also Praises Legislators for Additional Investments in Professional Development
and Multilingual Learners
PROVIDENCE, RI- Rhode Island Businesses for Better Education (RIBBE) is praising the
Rhode Island House Finance Committee for supporting the growth and development of Career
and Technical Education (CTE) in the FY 2025 budget. Through categorical funding and
additional staffing, career and technical programs will receive the help necessary to meet initial
investment requirements, modernize current offerings, and create new comprehensive
programming targeting emerging and growing industries like healthcare and the life sciences.
The proposed changes to state budget allocations will offset higher-than-average costs
associated with facilities, equipment maintenance and repair, and supplies necessary for
sustaining the quality of highly specialized programs that are vital to the development and
growth of a skilled workforce. The over 40 percent boost in categorical funding will allow young
people from diverse backgrounds to participate in career and technical learning for the first time.
Creating the infrastructure to ensure high-quality CTE curriculum is another critical component
of long-term success, and RIBBE applauds an investment in two new full-time equivalent
employees (FTEs) at the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to help to plan, support,
and monitor RIDE-approved CTE programs.
“The budget passed by the House Finance Committee is a much needed step in the right
direction for our students, educators, and collective workforce,” said Dave Chenevert,
Executive Director of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, a founding member of
RIBBE. “With an ever-changing job market and technical advances, it’s crucial that we provide
the necessary training and tools to help prepare our young people for lasting, high-paying, and
rewarding careers.”
RIBBE also praised the budget soon to be considered by the full House of Representatives for
increasing the state’s investment in multilingual learners (MLLs). RIBBE backs raising the
additional amount of per-pupil funding for MLLs from 15% to 20% of the per-pupil instructional
amount, increasing aid by $7.4 million. Providing funding and support for high-quality,
research-based services can enhance English reading proficiency, reduce dropout rates,
increase the chances of attending college, and improve economic outcomes for MLL students.
Finally, RIBBE applauds the House Finance Committee’s $5 million investment to support
professional development for educators. This funding, as proposed, would support math and
ELA coaching for teachers and will be distributed to districts with the greatest academic need.
We urge both the House and Senate to approve the measures in this proposed budget and will
continue to work collaboratively to improve Rhode Island’s public education system.
About RIBBE:
Rhode Island Businesses for Better Education is an alliance of businesses and business
organizations committed to taking action that improves Rhode Island’s public K-12 system. Our
top priority is ensuring that every student is provided a high-quality education to meet the
demands of Rhode Island’s future competitive economy.
The founding associations include Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, Greater
Providence Chamber of Commerce, Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce,
Partnership for Rhode Island, Rhode Island Black Business Association, Rhode Island Business
Coalition, Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Manufacturers
Association, and Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council
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Media Contact, for RIBBE
Chelsea DeCesare, Half Street Group
401.286.9037 | Chelsea@halfstreetgroup.com