Early Warning System

EWS logo

RIDE has released an updated Early Warning System (EWS) to help educators identify and intervene with 6th-12th grade students at risk of not graduating from high school. 

The tool was originally created in collaboration with The Policy Lab at Brown University and DataSpark. Like the original, the 2021-22 updated tool provides student-level data and profile reports complete with color-coded "risk bands" designed to provide actionable data as well as links to educator resources to support students in targeted ways. A sample view of the dashboard is below. Filter functions allow for drilling into the data by subgroups and by each indicator. Educators with RIDE Single Sign On (SSO) credentials can log in and request access from their Data Manager to see their dashboard. Anyone who would like to learn more can access the links below.

student dashboard
(Example of student dashboard)

While the tool is only available to Rhode Island educators and administrators with RIDEmap credentials (login to RIDEmap), all affiliated resources are available to everyone on this page and will be updated regularly.

Learn more with the following EWS User Guide.

Educator Resources (by indicator)

For the 2021-2022 updated Early Warning System (EWS), resources were selected to provide additional tools for educators to leverage, as needed, and to provide targeted supports based on a student's demonstrated "at risk" indicators (identified on the user's "student dashboard"). Resources provided below are:

  • Research-based or evidence-based wherever possible;
  • Largely based on existing resources from RIDE; and
  • Prioritized based on resources that are easily clickable and/or PDF-ready.

MTSS Rhode Island is a dedicated site to support educators with the implementation of a multi-tiered system of support. Training modules can be accessed through a free account and will provide educators with a certificate towards PLUs. 

Through a continued phased rollout, RIDE will be adding more resources. If you have resources that you would like to see included, please send it to OCCR@ride.ri.gov.

Indicator 1: Attendance

The Attendance percentage indicator shows the percentage of days students are present at school in a given school year. It is calculated by The number of days a student is present at school in a given school year divided by the number of days he/she is enrolled. Students’ Attendance Percentage is one of the most predictive individual indicators of whether or not a student will graduate on time. Historically, a 9th grade student attending school 85% of the time could expect to graduate on time less than 40% of the time. Attendance Percentage should, therefore, be the most carefully watched of the individual indicators. Below, you can find a graph of the relationship between Attendance Percentage and On-Time Graduation. Similar relationships exist in the other grade levels as well.

RESOURCE

Indicator 2: Grade Retention

The Grade Retention indicator shows the number of years students are older than a typical student in a given grade. Being older than one’s peers is an extremely accurate predictor of students’ likelihood of graduating on time with their cohort. It may indicate that students may already be off track to graduation due to grade retention or other circumstances.

Indicator 3: Number of Suspensions

The Number of Suspensions indicator shows the number of suspensions accumulated by students over a school year. The Number of Suspensions indicator not only provides information on student behavior, but also offers a picture of the instructional time students lose. This indicator, while not as predictive of on time graduation indicator or attendance, it is still very informative. A 9th grader who is suspended once in the school year, changing the number of suspensions from zero to one, decreases likelihood of graduating on time as much as 20%. Similar relationships exist in other grade levels.

RESOURCES

Indicator 4: ELA Proficiency

The ELA Proficiency indicator shows the proficiency level students received on the last administration of the most recent ELA state assessment, including RICAS, PSAT or SAT. Multiple studies throughout the U.S., as well as investigations in state assessment data collected by RIDE, have confirmed that student achievement on state standardized assessments are extremely predictive of his or her future on-time graduation. It is one indicator of student content mastery.

RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LITERACY

Indicator 5: Math Proficiency

The Math Proficiency indicator shows the proficiency level students received on the last administration of the most recent Math state assessment, including RICAS, PSAT or SAT. Multiple studies throughout the U.S., as well as investigations in state assessment data collected by RIDE, have confirmed that student achievement on state standardized assessments are extremely predictive of his or her future on-time graduation. It is one indicator of student content mastery.

RESOURCES

Indicator 6: Science Proficiency 

The Science indicator shows the proficiency level students received on the last administration of the new Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA) administered in grades 5,8, and 11. More information about the assessment can be found on the NGSS landing page. RIDE also has a new assessment portal for educators which provides resources for the RI NGSA.