Five candidates are competing in Providence City Council Ward 2 special election with early voting already underway. A public candidate forum was held on October 28 at Temple Beth-El, featuring discussions on local issues including education, housing, public safety, and community involvement. The Democratic primary is scheduled for November 4, with the general election on December 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
URI's GEMS-Net science teacher education program celebrates 30 years and relocates from the Bay Campus to the Kingston Campus. The program now supports 766 teachers and nearly 20,000 students across 15 Rhode Island school districts with phenomena-based science learning and professional development. An open house will be held Oct 29 from 4-5:30 PM at Pastore Hall. Source: uri.edu
State Rep Megan Cotter discusses the personal impact of the federal government shutdown on Rhode Island families, including her own household where her husband works for the federal government. She calls for state-level action to support furloughed workers and criticizes both parties for prioritizing politics over people. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
Providence City Council Ward 2 special election heats up with five candidates competing as early voting is underway. Democrat Jill Davidson secured a key endorsement from former Ward 2 Councilmember Helen Anthony. A public candidate forum is scheduled for Oct 28 at Temple Beth-El, with the Democratic primary on Nov 4 and general election on Dec 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
Students in PPSD's bilingual programs show greater academic growth and achievement compared to peers in monolingual classrooms, with over 40 years of research supporting the benefits of instruction in students' home languages. However, capacity remains limited and finding bilingual curricula poses challenges. Source: browndailyherald.com
Classical High School offers its entrance exam in Spanish for the first time in its 182-year history to ensure equal access for all students. Over 30 students took the bilingual exam, though questions remain about support systems for English language learners once admitted to the selective school. Source: oceanstatemedia.org
Former State Rep Joanne Giannini reflects on decades of neglect at the historic Collegiate Gothic-style Mt. Pleasant High School and broken promises of renovation from city administrations. Officials broke ground on partial demolition before final approval, despite community concerns about preserving the 1938 landmark building. Source: golocalprov.com
While a federal court has temporarily blocked government shutdown layoffs, education policy experts warn that key U.S. Department of Education programs remain at risk, potentially affecting funding and support for schools nationwide including Rhode Island.
A new report from Brown University's Annenberg Institute for School Reform recommends significant changes to professional development and teacher learning programs to improve educational outcomes across Rhode Island's school systems.
Rhode Island state officials and Providence Public School District leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a major remodeling project at Mount Pleasant High School, marking a significant investment in modernizing educational facilities for Providence students.
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