DOJ reaches agreement with Providence schools on services for Caribbean newcomers

The United States Department of Justice says it has reached a settlement agreement with the Providence, Rhode Island, Public School District to resolve an investigation into the district's programmes and services for new Caribbean and other immigrant English learner students with limited or interrupted education, known in the district as newcomers.

Rhode Island is home to a large immigrant population, with about 14.6 per cent foreign-born. 

Figures show that 7.9 per cent of U.S.-born residents have at least one immigrant parent.

The DOJ says the Providence Public School District is the largest school district in Rhode Island, serving thousands of English learner students, including hundreds of newcomers.