RIDE Continues Community Engagement with Students, Parents, and Educators

Published on Thursday, September 12, 2019

Stakeholders Invited to Join Education Conversations 

PROVIDENCE, RI - The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) continues its public outreach efforts by inviting students, family members, and educators across the state to participate in engagement groups that will help inform education policy in Providence and beyond.

“I was amazed at the level of engagement and passion displayed at our community forums this summer, and in visiting other districts, I have found a similar level of commitment from Rhode Island families across the state,” said Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “The collective demand and momentum for improving public education continues to grow, and I look forward to meeting regularly with parents, students, and educators to ensure they have a voice in supporting our schools.”

RIDE will facilitate monthly meetings for four different groups: the Rhode Island Parent Action Group, the Providence Parent Action Group, the Educator Action Group, and the Rhode Island Student Advisory Council. The Student Advisory Council is a formal body required under state law, with every high school in the state nominating a representative. The remaining groups will be open to any parents or teachers who wish to attend.

The first round of meetings are scheduled for:

• October 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Rhode Island Parent Action Group
• October 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Providence Parent Action Group
• October 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Rhode Island Student Advisory Council
• October 8, 4-5 p.m.: Educator Action Group

The Providence-specific Parent Action Group is just one avenue for Providence families to be involved in the development of a district turnaround plan. Since the release of the Johns Hopkins report, RIDE has hosted nine community forums and 15 focus groups and work sessions. Additional work sessions are scheduled for September 18 and 25. Once a State Turnaround Superintendent is appointed, Infante-Green will also charge that individual with hosting a monthly public meeting where updates can be provided, and breakout work sessions will tackle elements of a turnaround plan.

“It’s time to pivot from talking about the challenges to working to solve the challenges, and through these various stakeholder convenings, I hope to provide a venue where all students, parents, and teachers feel not only that they are heard, but also that they have the opportunity to effect change in meaningful ways,” said Infante-Green. “We have incredible talent at our disposal, not to mention the collective will to do better, and I plan to leverage both the talent and the commitment so that we can work together and improve outcomes for all students in Rhode Island.”

In addition to these meetings, which are open to the public, the Commissioner began holding private coffee hours with Providence teachers this week. Starting in October, these before-school sessions will be followed by hour-long roundtable discussions with students, as well. Both of these school-level conversations, hosted at a different Providence school each week, will provide a more intimate opportunity for teachers and students to share their perspectives and ideas with the Commissioner.

Ongoing engagement opportunities will be posted to the RIDE website and promoted through the Commissioner’s weekly Field Memo. Students, parents, and teachers interested in joining these groups should contact Chanthy.Lopes@ride.ri.gov to be added to a community listserv.

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