RI Gen. Laws §16-22-2

Courses in history and government.

The principles of popular and representative government as enunciated in the Constitution of Rhode Island and the Constitution of the United States study shall be taught in all the public schools of this state. The course of study shall be prescribed by the department of elementary and secondary education. Commencing with the fourth grade in elementary schools instruction shall be given in the history and government of Rhode Island, and in every high school thorough instruction shall be given in the Constitution and government of Rhode Island and in the Constitution and government of the United States. No private school or private instruction shall be approved for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title unless the course of study therein shall make provision for instruction substantially equivalent to that required by this chapter for public schools.