Special Education

Rhode Island's Blueprint and Strategic Plan for Differently-Abled Students' Success

RIDE has released the Blueprint and Strategic Plan for Differently-Abled Students' Success, or "DAS Blueprint". You can view it here.

Rhode Island’s Blueprint and Strategic Plan provides direction for state and local leaders to act on their shared commitment to and collective vision for the success of differently-abled students. The plan is grounded in extensive research and developed through a collaborative process involving a diverse group of stakeholders. This work aims to improve the support systems, instruction, and outcomes for Rhode Island’s differently-abled students who receive special education services. Using the Blueprint and Strategic Plan as a guiding force, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) aims to create a more fundamentally integrated and comprehensive educational system with high expectations and expansive opportunities for all differently-abled students—one that prepares them for success in education and life.

Adaptations Toolkit

Announcing the High-Quality Curriculum Materials (HQCM) Adaptation Toolkit

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has released the High-Quality Curriculum Materials Adaptation Toolkit (Part 1), a practical resource to help educators make strategic, intentional decisions about how and when to adapt instruction so that every student can access grade-level content.

A common language for adaptations. One of the toolkit’s central purposes is to build shared understanding, or norming, around the terms used to describe instructional adaptations. Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiation, scaffolding, accommodations, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), and modifications are often used interchangeably in schools and IEP meetings. The toolkit defines each one, shows how they differ, and clarifies who receives each type, what changes, and when to use it. A glossary, an adaptations table, and a visual framework make these distinctions easy to reference and share across teams, schools, and districts.

A resource for any content area. The toolkit’s examples are drawn from secondary math (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2), but the framework and terminology apply to any content area. Teachers, special educators, coaches, and administrators can use the foundational guidance to plan and talk about adaptations in ELA, science, social studies, and beyond.

Who should use it. Special education directors, school and district administrators, instructional coaches, and classroom and special education teachers will find the toolkit useful for planning, co-planning, professional learning, and conversations with families. Anyone who wants to understand how Rhode Island schools approach access to grade-level learning is welcome to explore it.

The toolkit reinforces a core principle: all students deserve access to grade-level content, though access may not look the same for every learner. Additional components, including unit and lesson adaptation resources and GenAI prompting guidance, are coming soon.

Access the Adaptations Toolkit PDF Here