Proclaiming April of 2026 to Be "Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Rhode Island is and has always been a multilingual state; and

WHEREAS, Throughout Rhode Island history, there have been Narragansett, Portuguese, Italian, Haitian, Creole, Khmer, Cape Verdean, French, Spanish, and many more languages spoken in our communities. Unfortunately, our language stories have often been ones of loss as many grandchildren cannot converse with their grandparents because students are pushed to forget their home language in order to assimilate to an English-centric educational system and therefore are forced to re-learn their own native language later in life; and

WHEREAS, Our linguistic and cultural diversity is a strength that should be celebrated and nurtured; and

WHEREAS, Bilingual and multilingual learners are one of the fastest growing student populations within American schools and this group of students brings multiple assets to our educational system and adds a rich layer of diversity amongst our students; and

WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month is an opportunity to draw attention to the persistent gap between bilingual and multilingual learners and native English- speaking students; and

WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month calls on stakeholders at all levels to examine the diverse needs of bilingual and multilingual learners and to build an inclusive and respectful culture; and

WHEREAS, Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month highlights a commitment to ensure educational equity and access, allowing these learners to thrive academically and become productive bi-literate and multiliterate global citizens, and encourages institutions to adopt policies and practices such as dual language instructional programs that value and use students’ languages and cultural assets to learn high academic content, promote long-term academic achievement, and increase graduation rates; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April of 2026 to be "Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby thanks bilingual and multilingual students, educators, school workers, supporters and advocates across the nation for their service to our communities and encourages all residents to advocate for bilingual and multilingual education in order to ensure that all Rhode Island students become bilingual, multilingual and bi-literate and are prepared for full participation in our State and world; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Angelica Infante-Green, Commissioner, Rhode Island Department of Education.