Community Outreach

RIDE is committed to engaging the Rhode Island community throughout our ESSA state plan development process.

Read below for information about the many opportunities to weigh in on the ESSA state plan, including community forums, surveys, meetings to give suggestions, and a public comment period.

Spring 2017: Community Feedback Forums

Public engagement for transition to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continued in late April and early May. RIDE hosted six regional community forums to share updates and gather feedback on the draft recommendations for the state's ESSA plan. Students, parents, teachers, community members, and community leaders across the state were extended an open invitation to share their feedback to help inform the ESSA decision-making process.

A flyer was posted on the website in color and in grayscale.

All forums took place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations and dates:

  • Greater Providence Area: Monday, April 24, at Cranston High School East. Spanish language interpretation services available.
  • Providence: Tuesday, April 25, at Providence Career & Technical Academy. Spanish language interpretation services available.
  • Southern Rhode Island: Wednesday, April 26, at Narragansett High School
  • East Bay: Thursday, April 27, at Pell Elementary School (Newport)
  • Northern Rhode Island: Monday, May 1, at Cumberland High School
  • West Bay: Wednesday, May 3 at West Warwick High School

The slide presentation for these forums is available in English [PDF, 2MB] and Spanish [PDF, 2MB].

Winter 2017: Community Engagement Meetings

Affinity groups across the state will be consulted at various points throughout the ESSA state planning process on specific topics that pertain to them through individual and joint meetings, and web-based communication. Our ESSA team has been meeting with various groups since the Fall 2016 Community Forums, including but not limited to the following:

  • Progreso Latino (November 14, 2016)
  • English Learners Advisory Council (November 28, 2016)
  • Rhode Island Superintendents Association (December 1, 2016)
  • Child Welfare Community Meeting (December 12, 2016)
  • NEA/AFT Union Leadership (December 19, 2016)
  • Student Advocacy Groups (January 9, 2017)
  • District Teachers of the Year (January 11, 2017)
  • Rhode Island Association of School Principals (January 18, 2017)
  • Ambassador Design Team for the RI Strategic Plan for Education (January 19, 2017)
  • 21st Century CCLC Community (January 24, 2017)
  • Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, & Families Partners (January 30, 2017)
  • Rhode Island Special Education Advisory Committee (February 16, 2017)
  • District Title I Directors (February 17, 2017)
  • Rhode Island Association of School Committees (February 23, 2017)
  • District Assistant Superintendents & Curriculum Directors (March 9, 2017)
  • Student Centered Learning Council (March 13, 2017)

Fall 2016: Phase 1 Input Survey

For those who missed a forum, or attended but would like to share more, we had provided an online survey where they could share their input. The survey closed on December 16, 2016.   The questions on the survey were the same as were asked in the small discussion groups at the forums.

You can review the questions here: Phase 1: Seeking Input Survey Questions [PDF, 47KB]

Fall 2016: Community Input Forums

RIDE held five community forums to collect public input about how we can reach RI’s vision for every student. Students, parents, teachers, community members, and leaders across the state were extended an open invitation to share experiences to help inform the ESSA implementation plan in Rhode Island.

A flyer was posted on the website in English [PDF, 221KB] and Spanish [PDF, 223KB], shared through social media (Twitter and Facebook), and sent out via newsletter (sign up for ESSA updates here). Printer-friendly versions are available in English [PDF, 199KB] and Spanish [PDF, 206KB].

All forums took place from 5:30-7:30pm at the following dates and locations:

  • Providence Area: Wednesday, November 2 at Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex. Spanish language interpretation services available.
  • Northern Rhode Island: Wednesday, November 9 at Lincoln Middle School
  • West Bay: Monday, November 14 at Coventry High School
  • East Bay: Thursday, November 17 at Portsmouth High School
  • Southern Rhode Island: Monday, November 21 at South Kingstown High School

Fall Forum Documents: