Supporting strong public services and educating the whole child requires fair funding — and so much more. From advocating at the Statehouse to engaging with federal policymakers, our collective power comes from an informed and active membership of educators, education support professionals, higher education faculty and staff, and public employees across Rhode Island.
Learn more about what we're doing to improve the lives of our students, educators, and families.
View a list of bills and NEARI's position here.
Ensuring Fair Funding
Rhode Island must invest in the public institutions that serve our communities. NEARI advocates for modernizing and protecting funding systems for public K-12 schools, higher education, and public health services so they meet the needs of students, workers, and families. This includes improving the state education funding formula to better reflect student needs, ensuring municipalities pay their fair share, and protecting investments in institutions like URI, CCRI, and the Department of Health.
Strong public funding ensures schools and public services have the staffing, resources, and support systems needed to help every Rhode Islander succeed..
Strengthening Pension Relief
Public employees dedicate their careers to serving Rhode Island and deserve the security of a dignified retirement. NEARI continues to advocate for pension improvements for teachers, municipal employees, and state workers, building on recent progress such as the change to calculate pensions using the highest three years of salary instead of five.
These reforms help restore benefits that were reduced over time and ensure that the people who educate students and provide essential public services can retire with stability and respect.
Protecting Public Education from Federal Voucher Schemes
NEARI opposes federal tax-credit voucher proposals that redirect public dollars away from public schools and into private systems with little public oversight. These programs would allow individuals and corporations to receive tax credits for funding private school scholarships through intermediary organizations.
Research shows voucher programs do not improve student outcomes and often reduce transparency and accountability while weakening public education systems that serve the vast majority of students.
NEARI is working to ensure Rhode Island maintains oversight and safeguards before participating in any federal voucher scheme that could divert resources from public schools.
Healthy School Meals
When students have access to healthy and nutritious meals, they show up to school energized, focused, and ready to learn.
Stopping Gun Violence
Students need safe environments to learn, live, and grow.
