Articles from Rhode Island Education News

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RI Schools to Request Reduction of School Year

Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angelica Infante Green is planning to request an emergency reduction of the school year from the state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education following the historic Blizzard of 2026, which dumped nearly 38 inches of snow statewide and set a new Rhode Island snowfall record. Several districts have already exhausted their built-in snow day buffers, raising the prospect of extending the school year into July if waivers are not granted.

https://turnto10.com/news/local/rhode-island-schools-to-request-reduction-of-sch…

Newport High School Principal Placed on Leave

Rogers High School Principal Jared Vance has been placed on administrative leave through the end of the school year following an independent investigation into the October 2025 assault of a student with special needs in the boys locker room. The investigation, conducted by former Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven O'Donnell, found systemic failures in communication, supervision, and disciplinary accountability, and issued 27 recommendations for reform.

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/02/12/newport-high-school-principal-placed-o…

Townsend: Why Native American Curriculum Should be Taught Throughout K-12

Education advocates argue that Native American history and culture should be integrated throughout K-12 curriculum rather than limited to single lessons, citing research showing improved outcomes for Native students and better cultural understanding for all students when Indigenous perspectives are woven throughout social studies, science, and other subjects.

https://www.the74million.org/article/why-native-american-curriculum-should-be-ta…

From Head Start to Civil Rights, 8 Ways Administration Has Reshaped Education

The Trump administration has dramatically reshaped federal education policy in its first year through cuts to grants for deaf and blind students, rural teacher programs, and Wi-Fi hotspots, while closing five of ten Head Start regional offices, freezing billions in school funding, and redirecting civil rights enforcement away from equity programs toward investigations of diversity initiatives and transgender student policies.

https://www.the74million.org/article/from-head-start-to-civil-rights-8-ways-trum…

Lawsuit Against RIDE, Providence Schools Over Loan Forgiveness Program Continues

RIDE and Providence schools filed responses claiming their Educators of Color Loan Forgiveness Program is now defunct, after a September DOJ lawsuit alleged the program discriminated against white teachers by offering up to $25,000 in student debt relief exclusively to teachers of color. Both defendants are seeking dismissal and requesting a jury trial.

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/16/teachers-of-color-loan-forgiveness-pro…

RI K-12 Council Rejects One of Two Charter School Proposals

The Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved De La Comunidad Bilingual School, the state's first K-12 dual-language charter school serving Providence, Pawtucket, and Cranston. However, the council rejected New England Technical Academy, a proposed career and technical education-focused charter high school, citing insufficient detail in recruitment plans.

https://www.wpri.com/target-12/new-expanded-ri-charter-school-proposals-face-key…

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