RethinkRI
Opportunity. Innovation. Growth.
At the height of the pandemic, RIDE acted swiftly to apply for a federal Rethink grant, which it used effectively to reimagine learning, improve student and educator engagement and boost college and career readiness across Rhode Island.
“Rethink was a game changer, generating a wave of opportunity, innovation and growth for schools, educators, students and their families. It has set Rhode Island on a path to an even brighter future.” - Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green
The State of Education, Transformed
When COVID-19 hit, government and educational leaders knew that the success of Rhode Island’s students – and the future of the Ocean State – depended on getting students engaged in learning as soon as possible. Led by Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) took an “all of the above” approach to leveraging technology and establishing a range of health and safety practices to keep students learning, remotely at first, but back in class as soon as possible.
Although Rhode Island was among the first states to return to in-person learning, RIDE also wanted to enhance the flexibility of local education agencies (LEAs), educators and families in how students accessed educational opportunities. This approach ensured that students continued learning whether or not they were in a school building.
Applying for a federal Rethink K-12 Educational Models Grant was one of many steps the state took to transform and strengthen learning for all Rhode Island students. Thanks to an award of $10 million in funding over four years from the U.S. Department of Education, RIDE’s Rethink K-12 education project has supported, enhanced, expanded and accelerated learning in the wake of the pandemic.
In line with RIDE’s commitment to equity and helping all students get back on track, RethinkRI’s multi-pronged approach has expanded opportunities for high-quality remote, hybrid and in-person learning during and beyond the school day.
Learn about Rethink’s multipronged approach and impact.
EnrollRI: Expanding opportunities for learning
The central pillar of the RethinkRI strategy is EnrollRI, a cutting-edge, online enrollment platform that serves as a gateway to educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. EnrollRI provides access to a statewide course catalog for learners of all ages; a common application tool for schools of choice, including public charters; and listings of secondary career and technical education (CTE) and adult education programs for learners of all ages and backgrounds.
Learn more about EnrollRI:
The All Course Network: Expanding Learning Opportunities for All Rhode Island Students
Rhode Island expanded and rebranded its existing Advanced Course Network (ACN) as the All Course Network and made it accessible through the EnrollRI platform. Amid the pandemic, RIDE more than tripled the number of course offerings available through the platform; added courses for students in grades Pre-K-5; increased the diversity of courses available to secondary students; and expanded the platform to include information on adult education and CTE programs.
Public Charter Schools: EnrollRI Streamlines Access for Rhode Island Families
As a next step, RIDE established EnrollRI as a centralized hub for learning about and applying to public schools of choice, including public charter schools, statewide. This led to the creation of a first-of-its-kind common application tool for families to use to apply for any public charter or other school of choice across the state.
High Quality Instructional Materials and Academic Interventions: Blending great teaching with the right tools
RIDE is helping educators “rethink” how digital learning tools can complement high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and classroom teaching to elevate their practices, engage students and meet the unique needs of each learner.
Learn about RIDE’s innovative Rethink-funded initiatives:
School Counseling Reimagined: Supporting students as they transform dreams into reality
RIDE has reimagined school counseling as a comprehensive, schoolwide program that benefits all students. Efforts include increasing awareness of the importance of school counseling, building relevant skills, enhancing schools’ capacity to deliver counseling and promoting the adoption of comprehensive school counseling programs as part of a new school counseling framework.
RIDE has also elevated students’ individual learning plans (ILPs) and post-secondary goals by initiating student ambassador programs, hosting college and career readiness activities for first-generation college students and introducing technologies that provide students with personalized resources for navigating the complexities of college and career preparation.
Learn more about RIDE’s school counseling and college and career support programs:
The EnrollRI Toolkit for State and Local Education Agencies
RIDE wants to share its success with other state agencies and large school districts interested in developing a unified enrollment platform for its students and families. This guide provides an inside look at the steps RIDE took to build and expand the EnrollRI platform. It offers details on the individual components associated with the project, sharing not only what RIDE did, but why and how. For each key step in the journey, you will find RIDE-developed resources, including links to web pages, videos and other materials. The guide also answers key questions relevant to local and state educational agencies.
Download toolkit here