Articles from Rhode Island Education News

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Brown Cuts Staff to Deal With Impact of Fed Threats to Funding

Brown University will eliminate 48 positions and leave 55 vacant jobs unfilled as part of efforts to trim spending by 2.5% and close a $30 million shortfall in fiscal year 2026 operations. The cuts, announced in a September 22 letter from President Christina Paxson and university leadership, come despite an August agreement with the federal government that restored NIH funding in exchange for ideological concessions including binary gender definitions in athletics and housing. Additional cost-cutting measures include consolidating health benefits to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, monetizing real estate holdings, and pausing net-zero carbon emission spending. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/03/brown-cuts-staff-to-deal-with-impact-o…

ACLU Urges Brown to Reject Demands

The ACLU of Rhode Island sent a letter to Brown University President Christina Paxson urging her to "forcefully and publicly reject" a new Trump administration "compact" sent to nine universities that would impose conditions to receive federal funding. The compact would restrict university employees from speaking out on political issues, limit foreign student enrollment, and require the university to deny the existence of transgender students while claiming to promote a "marketplace of ideas" that prohibits anything that would "belittle" conservative ideas. ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown argues Brown's previous capitulation has emboldened the administration to demand more, warning that universities' response may determine higher education autonomy for decades. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com

https://steveahlquist.substack.com/p/aclu-condemns-the-trumps-newest-threats

RIC Application Fee Waived For One Day Only on Oct. 15

Rhode Island College (RIC) will waive its $50 application fee on October 15, 2025, for the fourth annual Apply to RIC for Free Day. The waiver applies to all Rhode Island residents applying to undergraduate, graduate, or Bachelor of Professional Studies programs, including transfer students. Applicants should use code APPLYFREE25 when submitting applications except graduate students who do not need a code. RIC President Jack Warner notes the school welcomed 2,000+ new students this fall, the largest incoming class in 15 years. The college recommends beginning applications in advance and saving progress before submitting on October 15. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/ric-application-fee-waived-for-one-day-onl…

WaterFire Lighting Celebrates Rhode Island Educators

WaterFire Providence hosted a special lighting ceremony on September 27 to celebrate Rhode Island educators, featuring a teachers awards ceremony and torch procession at Memorial Park beginning at 5:00 PM. The event honored approximately 85 Rhode Island District Teachers of the Year, with catering provided by culinary students and chef instructors from career and technical education programs. The celebration included a Luminaria display and was supported by the Rhode Island Department of Education, Cox Business, and other sponsors, demonstrating community appreciation for the state's educational professionals. Source: turnto10.com

https://turnto10.com/news/local/waterfire-lighting-celebrates-rhode-island-educa…

At These Rhode Island High Schools, Academic Rigor and Career Technical Education Go Hand-in-Hand

Analysis reveals that Rhode Island students who take at least two Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses perform higher on national assessments and have higher four-year graduation rates compared to peers. The state offers over 300 CTE programs ranging from fish farming and hydroponics to medical diagnosis, available to students regardless of address or income. Rhode Island's approach demonstrates how CTE programs can be rigorously equipped to prepare students for both workforce entry and continued academic success, challenging traditional perceptions about vocational education. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/at-these-rhode-island-high-schools-academic…

AI Math Tutoring App Clones Teachers' Looks and Voices

A new AI-powered math tutoring application called Goblins can create digital clones of teachers using their appearance and voice, raising questions about the future of personalized education technology and teacher representation in digital learning environments. The app represents the latest development in AI educational tools that aim to provide customized instruction while maintaining familiar teacher-student relationships. The technology raises important considerations about consent, authenticity, and the role of artificial intelligence in classroom instruction that Rhode Island educators and administrators must navigate. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/new-ai-math-tutoring-app-goblins-clones-you…

Kids Need Soft Skills in the Age of AI, but What Does This Mean for Schools?

Educational experts are emphasizing the critical importance of soft skills development as artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce, requiring schools to reconsider curriculum priorities and teaching methods. The analysis examines how schools must balance traditional academic instruction with communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence skills that will remain uniquely human in an AI-driven economy. Rhode Island educators face the challenge of integrating soft skills development into existing curricula while preparing students for jobs that may not yet exist. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/kids-need-soft-skills-in-the-age-of-ai-but-…

High School Athletes on Block Island Rely on Resourcefulness, Dedication

Block Island High School athletes demonstrate exceptional resourcefulness and dedication to compete despite the unique challenges of their remote island location off the Rhode Island coast. The small school's athletic programs require creative solutions for transportation, scheduling, and facility limitations, with students and coaches showing remarkable commitment to maintaining competitive sports programs. The story highlights how geographic isolation creates both obstacles and opportunities for character development, with Block Island students learning valuable life skills through their athletic experiences that extend far beyond traditional sports competition. Source: abcnews.go.com

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/high-school-athletes-block-island-school-rhode…

Steiny: Anti-Charter Stance Mars Council Hearing

Commentary argues that the Providence City Council's opposition to charter schools is exacerbating the district's fiscal crisis and limiting educational options for families. The analysis suggests that anti-charter sentiment is preventing potential solutions that could help address Providence Public School District's financial challenges while providing alternative educational opportunities. The piece examines the tension between traditional public school advocacy and school choice policies, highlighting how political positions on charter schools may be affecting practical solutions to educational and fiscal problems in Rhode Island's largest school district. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/09/22/anti-charter-school-stance-on-providen…

Former Oklahoma Ed Chief's Tenure Offered Microcosm of Administration's Education Overhaul

Analysis of former Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters' tenure provides insights into the Trump administration's broader education policy approach, examining controversial reforms and their implementation at the state level. The examination of Oklahoma's education changes offers Rhode Island educators perspective on national education policy trends and potential federal initiatives that could affect state education systems. Understanding these policy experiments in other states helps Rhode Island education leaders anticipate and prepare for potential shifts in federal education priorities and funding. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/ryan-walters-oklahoma-tenure-offered-microc…

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