Rhode Island
U.S.
Rank
- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
Score:
63%
Grade:
D
Rank:
#39
Having hit their cap, Ocean State charters here are confined and remain predominantly in the cities, mainly because unions have opposed needed bipartisan reform proposals. It’s a pity, considering their enormous success in a state that otherwise values education innovation.
Law passed: 1995
Most recently amended: 2016
Number of charter schools: 37
Number of charter students: 10,345
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes
Virtual charters allowed? No
AUTHORIZERS: The state Board of Education is the final authorizer, after approval by a local school board, state commissioner of education or mayor of any city or town in Rhode Island (called Mayoral Academies).
GROWTH: Charter enrollment increased 2,000 over the last 2 years among the 35 charter cap the state has reached (but there are 37 schools, as some charters have more than one campus). Without lifting the cap there will be no more growth.
OPERATIONS: There is no blanket waiver. The commissioner of education is empowered to create rules and regulations for charter schools, and charter schools can apply for waivers if they would like to be exempted from certain regulations.
EQUITY: The funding for charter schools here is supposed to consist with state and district revenue based on the same formula as is used for traditional district schools. The law also states that districts should calculate it based on the number of free and reduced lunch students, those with limited English proficiency, and special education. Including local funding directed from districts to charters. Schools apply to the state for reimbursement of up to 30% of facilities costs.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#31
A very modest tax credit for scholarship programs is capped artificially low, resulting in the ability of fewer than 400 students to participate.
Law enacted: 2006
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 397
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Organizations
Rhode Island’s tax-credit scholarship program was launched in 2007, and offers corporations that donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations a 75% tax credit for one year, or 90% for two consecutive years. Students are eligible for the program if their household income is below 250% of the poverty level. The program does not have an enrollment cap or a scholarship per-student cap.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#22
Content knowledge factors strongly into teacher preparation programs at the elementary, middle, and secondary level. Student growth is 30% of teacher evaluation ratings.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 81%
General Teacher Preparation 82%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 78%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 68%
Alternate Routes 85%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 76%
Hiring 87%
Retaining Effective Teachers 65%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 84%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 55%
Score:
63%
Grade:
D
Rank:
#39
Having hit their cap, Ocean State charters here are confined and remain predominantly in the cities, mainly because unions have opposed needed bipartisan reform proposals. It’s a pity, considering their enormous success in a state that otherwise values education innovation.
Law passed: 1995
Most recently amended: 2016
Number of charter schools: 37
Number of charter students: 10,345
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? Yes
Virtual charters allowed? No
AUTHORIZERS: The state Board of Education is the final authorizer, after approval by a local school board, state commissioner of education or mayor of any city or town in Rhode Island (called Mayoral Academies).
GROWTH: Charter enrollment increased 2,000 over the last 2 years among the 35 charter cap the state has reached (but there are 37 schools, as some charters have more than one campus). Without lifting the cap there will be no more growth.
OPERATIONS: There is no blanket waiver. The commissioner of education is empowered to create rules and regulations for charter schools, and charter schools can apply for waivers if they would like to be exempted from certain regulations.
EQUITY: The funding for charter schools here is supposed to consist with state and district revenue based on the same formula as is used for traditional district schools. The law also states that districts should calculate it based on the number of free and reduced lunch students, those with limited English proficiency, and special education. Including local funding directed from districts to charters. Schools apply to the state for reimbursement of up to 30% of facilities costs.
Score:
Grade:
D
Rank:
#31
A very modest tax credit for scholarship programs is capped artificially low, resulting in the ability of fewer than 400 students to participate.
Law enacted: 2006
Number of programs: 1
Statewide Participation: 397
Types of programs: Tax Credit Scholarship
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Tax Credits for Contributions to Scholarship Organizations
Rhode Island’s tax-credit scholarship program was launched in 2007, and offers corporations that donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations a 75% tax credit for one year, or 90% for two consecutive years. Students are eligible for the program if their household income is below 250% of the poverty level. The program does not have an enrollment cap or a scholarship per-student cap.
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#22
Content knowledge factors strongly into teacher preparation programs at the elementary, middle, and secondary level. Student growth is 30% of teacher evaluation ratings.
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT: 81%
General Teacher Preparation 82%
Elementary Teacher Preparation 78%
Secondary Teacher Preparation 90%
Special Education Teacher Preparation 68%
Alternate Routes 85%
STAFFING AND SUPPORT: 76%
Hiring 87%
Retaining Effective Teachers 65%
TEACHER EVALUATION: 84%
Teacher and Principal Evaluation
TEACHER COMPENSATION: 55%
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#15
The statewide Virtual Education Act was enacted in 2012, and declares statewide “access to high quality, rigorous, and relevant online learning opportunities for all of Rhode Island’s public school students and to ensure promulgation of virtual learning regulations supporting access to high quality virtual instruction consistently throughout the state.”
While the state still needs to increase bandwidth capacity for all students, there are multiple initiatives in place to work towards ensuring that every school has the resources necessary to transform education to the 21st century. The Rhode Island Telecommunications Access Fund (RITEAF) guarantees that private and public schools in the state receive affordable internet. The Wireless Classroom Initiative Technology Bond works to expand WiFi to all schools, and all Rhode Island Schools are working towards Large Scale 1:1 Device Implementations.
The Rhode Island Department of Education also provides digital learning resources and programs to further expand learning in schools. These include: Future Ready Schools; the online video repository NBC Learn, computer science initiative #CS4RI, and Discovery Education Professional Development, and Open Educational Resources.
Bandwidth: “92.2% of students in Rhode Island can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. 10,144 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Rhode Island is a leader in expanding personalized learning statewide through robust policies, which require every middle and high school in the state to 1. create strategies for personalized learning, and 2. develop Individual Learning Plans for every student. Additionally, new diploma requirements require students to successfully complete a performance-based diploma assessment.
Rhode Island’s statewide Personalized Learning Initiative was launched in 2016 by the Rhode Island Office of Innovation. They work with state and local partners to expand personalized learning into public schools across the state and prepare students for their future. The state also adopted learner profiles for students, where teachers create a plan for their students to close learning gaps, and support their individual needs in the classroom.
To increase flexibility, The School and Family Empowerment Act gives power to local districts and teachers to create Empowerment Schools. Empowerment schools allow for unprecedented freedom to redesign education and give every student the opportunity to receive high- quality, personalized education.
Rhode Island responded quickly and communicated effectively in response to the COVID-19 crisis, creating a website with resources for students, parents, teachers, and administrators to support and encourage remote learning.
The state superintendent was committed to providing free internet access for families who needed it and provided guidance to schools and teachers on developing plans, including for special needs and ESL students.
In July, the state announced schools could resume in-person instruction August 31, and districts were required to submit their plans for reopening, and whether instruction would be in-person, virtual, or a combination of the two. Nearly every district had an approved plan by mid-August, but the governor changed the reopening date to September 14, except for two districts, Central Falls and Providence, who are not permitted to begin in-person until further notice.
Fast Facts
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Score:
Grade:
C
Rank:
#15
The statewide Virtual Education Act was enacted in 2012, and declares statewide “access to high quality, rigorous, and relevant online learning opportunities for all of Rhode Island’s public school students and to ensure promulgation of virtual learning regulations supporting access to high quality virtual instruction consistently throughout the state.”
While the state still needs to increase bandwidth capacity for all students, there are multiple initiatives in place to work towards ensuring that every school has the resources necessary to transform education to the 21st century. The Rhode Island Telecommunications Access Fund (RITEAF) guarantees that private and public schools in the state receive affordable internet. The Wireless Classroom Initiative Technology Bond works to expand WiFi to all schools, and all Rhode Island Schools are working towards Large Scale 1:1 Device Implementations.
The Rhode Island Department of Education also provides digital learning resources and programs to further expand learning in schools. These include: Future Ready Schools; the online video repository NBC Learn, computer science initiative #CS4RI, and Discovery Education Professional Development, and Open Educational Resources.
Bandwidth: “92.2% of students in Rhode Island can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. 10,144 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
Rhode Island is a leader in expanding personalized learning statewide through robust policies, which require every middle and high school in the state to 1. create strategies for personalized learning, and 2. develop Individual Learning Plans for every student. Additionally, new diploma requirements require students to successfully complete a performance-based diploma assessment.
Rhode Island’s statewide Personalized Learning Initiative was launched in 2016 by the Rhode Island Office of Innovation. They work with state and local partners to expand personalized learning into public schools across the state and prepare students for their future. The state also adopted learner profiles for students, where teachers create a plan for their students to close learning gaps, and support their individual needs in the classroom.
To increase flexibility, The School and Family Empowerment Act gives power to local districts and teachers to create Empowerment Schools. Empowerment schools allow for unprecedented freedom to redesign education and give every student the opportunity to receive high- quality, personalized education.
Rhode Island responded quickly and communicated effectively in response to the COVID-19 crisis, creating a website with resources for students, parents, teachers, and administrators to support and encourage remote learning.
The state superintendent was committed to providing free internet access for families who needed it and provided guidance to schools and teachers on developing plans, including for special needs and ESL students.
In July, the state announced schools could resume in-person instruction August 31, and districts were required to submit their plans for reopening, and whether instruction would be in-person, virtual, or a combination of the two. Nearly every district had an approved plan by mid-August, but the governor changed the reopening date to September 14, except for two districts, Central Falls and Providence, who are not permitted to begin in-person until further notice.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
8th Grade Math Proficiency:
12th Grade Math Proficiency:
4th Grade Reading Proficiency:
8th Grade Reading Proficiency:
12th Grade Reading Proficiency:
Graduation Rate:
Average SAT Score:
Average ACT Score:
Public School Enrollment:
Percent Enrolled in Charter Schools:
Average Student Funding:
Daniel J. McKee (D)
First term began in 2021 (two-term limit)
In 2021, Lt Governor Daniel McKee became governor. He is considered to be the father of mayoral charter schools in Rhode Island, and throughout his career he has been supportive of educational opportunity and innovation for all students. As he said when the legislature was considering a charter moratorium that he would veto if it reached his desk, “Children who have a better chance in a public charter school do not deserve to have the door of opportunity slammed in their face. Rhode Island should be focused on creating more opportunities for all students, not fewer.” A six term Mayor of Cumberland, McKee established the state’s first Mayoral Academy public charter school, Blackstone Valley prep.
The House and Senate are not strong environments for expanding what it takes to provide parents with real power. In February 2021 the Senate passed a bill that would establish a three- year moratorium on the expansion and creation of charter schools. They should be working to expand opportunity, not push further restrictions that deny Rhode Island families the choices they deserve in education.
Rhode Island does not have a Blaine Amendment. “Rhode Island courts adhere to federal Establishment Clause precedent when interpreting the state’s Compelled Support Clause.” (Institute for Justice)
School report cards are easy to access on Rhode Island’s DOE homepage under the Information and Accountability tab. Report cards contain a lot of detailed information on student performance, assessments, and teacher quality. Schools are given star ratings, based mostly on performance and school growth, and ratings are clearly explained and demonstrated on each tab, increasing their transparency. Educational options are also easily accessible on the homepage under Students and Families, where you can learn about different education programs offered by the state.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.
Daniel J. McKee (D)
First term began in 2021 (two-term limit)
In 2021, Lt Governor Daniel McKee became governor. He is considered to be the father of mayoral charter schools in Rhode Island, and throughout his career he has been supportive of educational opportunity and innovation for all students. As he said when the legislature was considering a charter moratorium that he would veto if it reached his desk, “Children who have a better chance in a public charter school do not deserve to have the door of opportunity slammed in their face. Rhode Island should be focused on creating more opportunities for all students, not fewer.” A six term Mayor of Cumberland, McKee established the state’s first Mayoral Academy public charter school, Blackstone Valley prep.
The House and Senate are not strong environments for expanding what it takes to provide parents with real power. In February 2021 the Senate passed a bill that would establish a three- year moratorium on the expansion and creation of charter schools. They should be working to expand opportunity, not push further restrictions that deny Rhode Island families the choices they deserve in education.
Rhode Island does not have a Blaine Amendment. “Rhode Island courts adhere to federal Establishment Clause precedent when interpreting the state’s Compelled Support Clause.” (Institute for Justice)
School report cards are easy to access on Rhode Island’s DOE homepage under the Information and Accountability tab. Report cards contain a lot of detailed information on student performance, assessments, and teacher quality. Schools are given star ratings, based mostly on performance and school growth, and ratings are clearly explained and demonstrated on each tab, increasing their transparency. Educational options are also easily accessible on the homepage under Students and Families, where you can learn about different education programs offered by the state.
School board elections are during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.