Final Action
RHODE ISLAND
Governor: Edward D. DiPrete (R)
FY 1989 state budget: $1.395 billion
FY 1989 K-12 budget: $346 million
FY 1988 K-12 budget: $313 million
Percent change K-12 budget: +10 percent
Highlights
Created two $2-million education block grants. The first is intended to reduce class sizes in early grades and fund new early-childhood initiatives, including half-day kindergarten for at-risk 4-year-olds and full-day kindergarten for at-risk 5-year-olds. The second would boost funding for special education, classes for limited-English-proficient students, programs for the gifted, and training for administrators.
- Lowered mandatory school-attendance age from 7 to 6, and required all districts to offer kindergarten.
- Created college-savings-bond program. Also authorized tax deductions for parents who set aside savings for their children’s college educations.
- Increased funding for day care by 26 percent, and created the position of state child-policy coordinator, who will oversee children’s issues.
