Gates Foundation grants R.I. $1M for Providence algebra prep course for multilingual students

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Education received a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to prepare multilingual Providence students for algebra, the department announced Wednesday.

RIDE was one of 11 recipients of the foundation’s Balance the Equation – A Grand Challenge for Algebra grants distributed this year. The foundation received 416 applications for the grant program.

RIDE will use the funds to implement an “Algebra Readiness Course” to better prepare multilingual learners in the Providence public schools for Algebra I.

“We know that algebra tends to be a hurdle for students’ long-term success, and with this innovative program we are ensuring Rhode Island’s multilingual learners can get ahead,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “As a former multilingual learner myself, I know that these students will succeed if they just have the right accessibility and supports – supports like the ones this grant provides. We are thrilled to work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on this critical work to improve outcomes for our students.” 

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The department will also focus on building teacher skills, funding professional development and coaching for teachers. As part of the program, Providence students will lead part of the teacher training themselves, to help the teachers better understand the perspective of Providence’s multilingual learners, RIDE said.

A pilot version of the course operated this summer.

RIDE said that the course will be expanded into a full academic semester and will be implemented in six Providence middle schools for the 2021-2022 school year. The course will also be offered virtually through the “All Course Network” with the support of The College Crusade of Rhode Island.