PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A new law is linking state aid to Rhode Island’s public colleges to how they are performing.
Gov. Gina Raimondo (Democrat) signed the legislation into law on August 11.
The Community College of Rhode Island and other institutions will now have to achieve certain goals in order to get more funding. The goals include getting students to graduate on time and increasing how many are getting degrees in high-demand and high-wage fields.
Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed (Democrat) sponsored the bill and says it will help the state close a skills gap.
The sponsors say Massachusetts and 31 other states use performance measures to allocate funding. Connecticut and four other states are moving in that direction.
The sponsors say Rhode Island’s law isn’t punitive because colleges can get money to meet the goals.
