Providence, R.I., public schools agree to better educate immigrant students

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Rhode Island's largest public school district agreed to ensure all immigrant students receive suitable English language instruction from properly trained and qualified teachers.

The agreement relates to Providence Public School District's "Newcomer Academy," which is intended to provide immigrant students age17 and older with accelerated learning opportunities, including speaking and writing in English, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Investigators with the DOJ's Civil Rights Division recently determined the school district did not provide more than 200 students in the Newcomer Academy with adequate English language instruction.

"Schools too frequently shut their doors to newcomers or divert them into segregated programs with few opportunities and inadequate services," U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said.

"Federal law is clear: all students, including immigrant students, have a right to meaningfully participate in their district's educational programs," Clarke said.

Dozens of students at the Newcomer Academy signed a petition during the 2023-2024 school year saying they wanted to learn English at the school, according to the DOJ.

The school district "unnecessarily segregated newcomers" and did not provide the students with qualified and trained teachers and administrators, the DOJ determined.

The DOJ says the school district deprived the students of "equal opportunities to receive special education" and participate in career and technical education programs.

Providence School District officials cooperated with the DOJ's investigation and agreed to make sure immigrant students have equal access to specialized programs, are integrated with native English speakers and learners and receive adequate instruction in the English language.

The school district also agreed to provide the parents of immigrant students with language translations and interpretations of important school documents.

The settlement agreement addresses potential violations of the U.S. Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 and replaces a prior agreement made in 2018.