Latest news with #R.I.DepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
RI's Pre-K lottery open for 2025-26 school year
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island families with children turning 4 before the fall can now apply for the state's Pre-K lottery. The programs, offered in 20 participating communities, provide 'free, high-quality learning opportunities' for young kids, according to the R.I. Department of Education. To be eligible, a child must be 4 years old as of Sept. 1, 2025. Spots are limited, so filling out an application is required. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 22. RI Pre-K Lottery: How to apply 'The high-quality learning opportunities that are offered through our RI Pre-K program allow children to develop the academic and social-emotional skills they need to succeed throughout their educational journeys,' R.I. Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said in a press release. 'All students, no matter their background, benefit from early learning experiences,' she added. 'I invite all Rhode Island families with eligible children to enter the lottery for a chance at a free seat.' The state-funded pre-K programs are offered at public schools, Head Start agencies and child care centers in the following cities and towns: Bristol-Warren Central Falls Coventry Cranston East Providence Johnston Lincoln Middletown Newport North Kingstown North Providence Pawtucket Portsmouth Providence Smithfield Warwick West Warwick Westerly Woonsocket RELATED: RI Senate passes universal pre-K, constitutional right to education Visit the state's website to learn more, or send questions to RIPre-K@ Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump administration investigating Providence schools over ‘educator of color' loan forgiveness program
Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up The investigation comes as the Trump administration has been cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, accusing both K-12 and higher education institutions of discrimination because of using racial preferences in their hiring practices or in access to educational opportunities. Advertisement The US Department of Education has accused The website for the Providence program, entitled the The Providence school system has long been criticized for its lopsided racial makeup; roughly 73 percent of teachers are white, compared to just 8 percent of the district's students, according to the most recent R.I. Department of Education data. The vast majority of Providence students are Hispanic, at 68 percent, followed by 14 percent Black. One of the goals of the state takeover of the city schools, which began in 2019, was to Advertisement The Rhode Island Foundation touted the importance of that goal when the program launched. 'The benefits of a diverse faculty are well documented,' Neil Steinberg, the former head of the nonprofit, said in a news release in 2021. 'Students can be inspired in new ways when their classrooms include role models who look like them.' The letter from the DOJ says the federal government has not reached any conclusions yet, but is investigating whether or not the district is 'engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination.' Hector Ruiz Jr., the DOJ employment attorney investigating the case, declined to comment, referring the Globe to the media relations team, which did not immediately respond. In a letter to the Providence School Board on Sunday notifying them of the investigation, Superintendent Javier Montañez said the student loan program has a 'direct, positive impact on student outcomes as demonstrated by years of educational research.' 'The diversity of our community is a tremendous asset, and we deeply value and support the variety of cultures and identities of our students as well as our staff members,' Montañez said. He pointed to He said the school district is an 'equal educational employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability, or veteran status.' The district's lawyers will cooperate with the DOJ on the investigation, Montañez said. Advertisement Suzanne Ouellette, a spokesperson for the district, said, 'We remain committed in our efforts to recruit and retain a teaching population that reflects the diverse community we serve.' She declined to comment further, citing the ongoing legal matter. Steph Machado can be reached at
