Rhode Island's chronic absenteeism rate for public school students fell to 22.1% in 2024-25, marking the third straight year of decline. Providence Public Schools saw particularly significant improvement, with their chronic absenteeism rate dropping nearly 7 percentage points from 36.2% to 29.3%, though rates remain above pre-COVID benchmarks of under 20%.
Hundreds of Providence Public School students began their semester in temporary "swing spaces" as multiple schools undergo major construction projects. These efforts are part of a larger collaboration between PPSD, the Rhode Island Department of Education, and the city as part of an ambitious $1 billion school facilities improvement plan.
The Trump administration has agreed to release $29 million in frozen federal education funds to Rhode Island by October as part of a settlement with 24 states. The funds were originally intended to support after-school programs, summer offerings, teachers' professional development, and English language acquisition programs before being frozen earlier this summer. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
Little Compton School District has received $550,000 in state funding to install water treatment systems that remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water, serving as a model for other Rhode Island schools. The project addresses elevated levels of these "forever chemicals" in the water system serving 450 students and faculty members. Source: providencejournal.com
Anthropic releases a comprehensive report examining how teachers and educational institutions are incorporating Claude AI into their instructional practices. The study explores various applications including lesson planning, student assessment, and personalized learning support, providing insights relevant to Rhode Island educators considering AI integration. Source: anthropic.com
Mental health experts provide guidance for Rhode Island parents on helping children manage anxiety as they return to school. The article offers practical strategies for recognizing signs of school-related stress and creating supportive environments during the transition back to classroom learning. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in K-12 schools and higher education institutions is unlawful. The ruling affects educational institutions across the country, including Rhode Island schools and universities that had been impacted by the federal policy changes. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
Rhode Island State Police are distributing over 2,000 backpacks and school supplies to students as part of their annual "Kids, Cops and Classrooms" campaign. The program helps provide essential school supplies to Rhode Island families in need, with donations collected through partnerships with local businesses including Ocean State Job Lot and BayCoast Bank locations. Source: turnto10.com
Providence Public Schools is launching "The People's Plan" initiative, inviting community members and families to participate in shaping the future direction of the city's school system. The public engagement effort aims to gather input from stakeholders as the district works on long-term planning and improvements. Source: abc6.com
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green announces a new statewide attendance retention policy that could result in students being held back if they are chronically absent, missing 18 or more school days. The policy takes effect across Rhode Island and includes three specific criteria that families must meet to avoid grade retention. Source: youtube.com
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