Rhode Island House Republicans
  • Home
  • Reports
    • FY 2026 Budget and Policy Priorities Report
    • Minority Report >
      • 2023 Minority Report
      • 2022 Minority Report
      • 2020/2021 Minority Report
      • 2019 Minority Report
    • Gaming Contract >
      • Gaming Study Report
    • State of the State >
      • 2020 State of the State
      • 2022 State of the State
      • 2024 State of the State
  • Representatives
    • Michael W. Chippendale
    • David J. Place
    • Richard R. Fascia
    • Marie A. Hopkins
    • George A. Nardone
    • Brian C. Newberry
    • Christopher G. Paplauskas
    • Robert Quattrocchi
    • Sherry Roberts
    • Paul M. Santucci
  • Alumni
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
    • Media Contact
    • Caucus Staff
    • Interns
    • Group Visits
The Latest News and Media From the
Rhode Island House of Representatives Republican Caucus

Op ED: EMPOWER PARENTS — REMOTE LEARNING ISN’T WORKING

9/15/2020

Comments

 
News/Opinion
​Blake A. Filippi is leader of the Rhode Island House Minority Caucus. Michael W. Chippendale is whip of the caucus.
​Gov. Gina Raimondo is right to push for full in-person learning. Remote-learning largely does not provide an adequate education or the crucial social interaction our children need.
Picture
Many parents are forced to stay home from work so that their children aren't alone in an empty house, putting families in financial peril and further hampering our frail economy. A recent McKinsey and Company report echoes what thousands of Rhode Island parents have experienced first-hand: remote learning isn't working.

Sadly, it did not have to be this way. Beginning in the spring, our state leaders should have used a portion of the $1.25-billion in federal CARES ACT funds to aggressively upgrade our empty public schools, including proper ventilation systems. Instead, state leaders decided to hold back much of the CARES ACT money in the hope Congress will allow it to be used to bail out general state government operations. The continuation of bloated state government has taken precedence over our children's education and the economic security of Rhode Island families.

With the prospect of remote-learning-only in many school districts, we believe that parents must be empowered to control their child's education until full in-person learning is possible.

First, Republicans propose to establish state Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to support at-home learning for any child who does not have in-person learning. ESAs, managed by families, are restricted receipt accounts that are given preferential tax treatment. ESAs will be funded by existing per pupil school district monies and supplemented by parents. ESAs and existing CARES Act funds may then be utilized for tutoring, technology, supplies and other extra help measures. With this support network in place, parents can continue with remote learning, or opt to home-school their children, individually or in pods.

Second, parents in school districts that do not provide in-person learning despite a state determination that their community has a low COVID-19 transmission rate, will be further empowered to send their child to other public schools that offer in-person learning and have excess capacity. Under this proposal, a child would be able to attend a public school in another school district for the entire academic year. Existing per pupil school district monies and CARES Act funds will also pay for this program.

Both the ESA at-home learning and pubic school choice programs would be temporary, existing only until the end of the school year in which the COVID-19 state of emergency terminates.

We readily acknowledge that full in-person public school learning is best. Yet, this is not going to happen this academic year for thousands of children, who will undoubtedly be harmed by it. Our primary duty is to our children, and Republicans believe we must immediately act to protect them. The future of our children demands no less.

The Providence Journal 
Posted: September 14, 2020
​https://bit.ly/3bZIBlG 

Comments

    nEWS & Media


    All News
    2024 Legislation
    Infographics
    Member Opinions
    News Releases
    Podcasts
    The Right Move
    Video Updates

    stAY CONNECTED


    Sign up below to receive the latest News & Media from the Rhode Island House Republican Caucus sent directly to your inbox. 
    * indicates required



    ​FIND NEWS 


    ​SOCIAL MEDIA


    Facebook
    X
    YouTube
    Instagram
    RSS Feed: News & Media

Learn More About Us


  • Representatives
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
  • Media Resources​

Constituent Services


  • Constituent Relations 
  • Find Your Representative
  • Visiting the Capitol
  • Internships​

​​State Government


  • Rhode Island General Assembly
  • Bill Information
  • Rhode Island General Laws
  • Rhode Island State Constitution
  • State Agencies
  • Governor’s Office
  • Lt. Governor’s Office
  • Secretary of State’s Office
  • Attorney General's Office
  • Treasurer’s Office
  • Rhode Island Courts

About rhode island house republicans


​In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders.  As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.

​2025 Rhode Island State House Republicans | 82 Smith Street, Room 106 Providence, RI 02903 | 401..222..2259 | Email Us
  • Home
  • Reports
    • FY 2026 Budget and Policy Priorities Report
    • Minority Report >
      • 2023 Minority Report
      • 2022 Minority Report
      • 2020/2021 Minority Report
      • 2019 Minority Report
    • Gaming Contract >
      • Gaming Study Report
    • State of the State >
      • 2020 State of the State
      • 2022 State of the State
      • 2024 State of the State
  • Representatives
    • Michael W. Chippendale
    • David J. Place
    • Richard R. Fascia
    • Marie A. Hopkins
    • George A. Nardone
    • Brian C. Newberry
    • Christopher G. Paplauskas
    • Robert Quattrocchi
    • Sherry Roberts
    • Paul M. Santucci
  • Alumni
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
    • Media Contact
    • Caucus Staff
    • Interns
    • Group Visits