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State of Rhode Island Department of Education

Providence Public Schools Intervention - Turning Hope Into Results

Progress and Transition to Local Control (2024–2026)

In June 2026, the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education determined that the district had reached a critical milestone. After reviewing updated data, progress reports, and the Commissioner’s formal recommendation, the Council voted to end the state intervention earlier than anticipated.

The intervention will officially conclude on July 1, 2026, marking:

  • The successful completion of the state’s turnaround effort
  • A transition back to local governance
  • Recognition of the district’s improved capacity to sustain progress independently

This decision reflected confidence that Providence Public Schools, through support from the state, has structures, leadership, and systems necessary to continue advancing student outcomes without direct state involvement.

Previously, in 2024, the Rhode Island Department of Education commissioned independent evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the state intervention in Providence Public Schools. These reviews were conducted by SchoolWorks and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, both of which provided comprehensive, third-party analyses of district progress since the 2019 intervention.

The 2024 independent reviews found that PPSD had made meaningful and measurable progress in several critical areas, including:

  • Academic improvement, particularly in early literacy and targeted student supports
  • Strengthening of district leadership and governance structures
  • Improved operational systems, including budgeting, facilities planning, and human capital practices
  • Expanded professional development and instructional coherence across schools

At the same time, both reviews noted that while progress was significant, continued effort was necessary to ensure that improvements were sustained and equitably experienced across all schools and student groups.

Based on the findings of the SchoolWorks and Harvard reviews, the Council voted in August 2024 to extend the state intervention through 2027. This decision reflected a balanced assessment: acknowledging the district’s substantial progress while recognizing the importance of maintaining stability and accountability to solidify gains and address remaining challenges.

Following the extension, the Rhode Island Department of Education continued to monitor district performance closely, with a focus on evidence of sustained improvement, local leadership readiness, and system-wide consistency.

Providence Public Schools 2019 Review

In April 2019, Governor Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Green called for a review of the Providence Public School District.

As committed as Rhode Islanders have been to serving Providence students and families, the district continues to struggle, and more must be done to improve outcomes for Providence students.

Proposal for Decision and Order

On August 8, 2019, Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green issued her Proposal for Decision and Order regarding the Providence Public School District (PPSD). After a Show Cause Hearing on September 13, 2019, during which none of the parties contested, the Commissioner issued the Final Order of Control and Reconstitution on October 15, 2019.

District Review Process

In May and June 2019, a diverse team of local and national education experts undertook a review of the district. The review team was charged with visiting schools and listening to stakeholders about the challenges they face in the classroom and central office, from governance and purchasing, to instruction and curriculum. Their review included site visits and focus group interviews, as well as the review of data, budgets, and district records. The objective was to listen and gather information only, and then collect that information into a public report. Focus groups were facilitated with key stakeholder groups, including educators, students, and families. Site visits and focus groups were conducted the week of May 20, 2019. It was important for the state to take an ambitious and expedited timeline for the review phase so that additional stakeholder engagement could be conducted, and some action deployed in time for the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

The findings were shared at the June 25, 2019 meeting of the Council for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Download the Full Report

Community Forums

Thank you to everyone who attended a Providence Community Forum over the the summer of 2019 regarding the Johns Hopkins Report on the Providence Public School District.

Below are links if you would like to read the report or see Commissioner Infante-Green’s presentation on the report.

Other Documents