About PRIME
The first big step towards a truly multilingual state happens here, as we come together to support Rhode Island’s educators, advocates, families, and our multilingual future.
What Is It?
Preparing Rhode Island’s Multilingual Educators (PRIME)
PRIME brings together educator preparation programs, public school districts, community-based organizations, and state agencies (RIDE & OPC) to make more accessible and streamline pathways to educator certification for multilingual Rhode Islanders.
Who is Involved?
List of member orgs of PRIME Working Group. Are you interested in joining PRIME?
- Annenberg Institute
- Central Falls School District
- College Unbound
- Cumberland School District
- Dorcas International Institute of RI
- ExcEL Educators Leadership Academy
- Genesis Center
- Institute for Labor Studies and Research (ILSR)
- Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE)
- Pawtucket School Department
- Providence Public Schools
- Refugee Dream Center
- Rhode Island College
- Rhode Island Department of Education
- Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
- Rhode Island School for Progressive Education
- The Equity Institute
- Throughline Learning
- University of Rhode Island
- Great Schools Partnership
- Brown University Department of Education
Goals
PRIME serves the overall vision of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island to make Rhode Island a truly multilingual state. Through the preparation of multilingual educators who reflect our communities, RI will grow and sustain high-quality language programs in our public schools, opening doors for students to use their multilingual skills in any path they choose.
PRIME brings together stakeholders from across the state to streamline pathways to certification for multilingual educators. To achieve this outcome, PRIME will:
- Create and sustain a fund for multilingual Rhode Islanders seeking Bilingual Dual Language (BDL), World Language (WL), and/or ESOL certification that follows educators, regardless of preparation program.
- Improve the multilingual educator pipeline and greater community of educators.
- Center multilingualism in Rhode Island as a core value of our state’s identity.
Why?
We face a critical shortage of certified Bilingual Dual Language (BDL) and World Language (WL) teachers, needed to staff and grow high-quality language programs. Our multilingualism is a strength, and we need it for our workforce and other benefits.Systemic barriers to entering the teaching profession have led to a lack of pathways and support for multilingual adults. PRIME arises as a strategic response — providing professional development, resources, and support for multilingual candidates — aimed at expanding and diversifying the teacher pipeline.
