Articles from Rhode Island Education News

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AI Math Tutoring App Clones Teachers' Looks and Voices

A new AI-powered math tutoring application called Goblins can create digital clones of teachers using their appearance and voice, raising questions about the future of personalized education technology and teacher representation in digital learning environments. The app represents the latest development in AI educational tools that aim to provide customized instruction while maintaining familiar teacher-student relationships. The technology raises important considerations about consent, authenticity, and the role of artificial intelligence in classroom instruction that Rhode Island educators and administrators must navigate. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/new-ai-math-tutoring-app-goblins-clones-you…

Kids Need Soft Skills in the Age of AI, but What Does This Mean for Schools?

Educational experts are emphasizing the critical importance of soft skills development as artificial intelligence reshapes the workforce, requiring schools to reconsider curriculum priorities and teaching methods. The analysis examines how schools must balance traditional academic instruction with communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence skills that will remain uniquely human in an AI-driven economy. Rhode Island educators face the challenge of integrating soft skills development into existing curricula while preparing students for jobs that may not yet exist. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/kids-need-soft-skills-in-the-age-of-ai-but-…

High School Athletes on Block Island Rely on Resourcefulness, Dedication

Block Island High School athletes demonstrate exceptional resourcefulness and dedication to compete despite the unique challenges of their remote island location off the Rhode Island coast. The small school's athletic programs require creative solutions for transportation, scheduling, and facility limitations, with students and coaches showing remarkable commitment to maintaining competitive sports programs. The story highlights how geographic isolation creates both obstacles and opportunities for character development, with Block Island students learning valuable life skills through their athletic experiences that extend far beyond traditional sports competition. Source: abcnews.go.com

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/high-school-athletes-block-island-school-rhode…

Steiny: Anti-Charter Stance Mars Council Hearing

Commentary argues that the Providence City Council's opposition to charter schools is exacerbating the district's fiscal crisis and limiting educational options for families. The analysis suggests that anti-charter sentiment is preventing potential solutions that could help address Providence Public School District's financial challenges while providing alternative educational opportunities. The piece examines the tension between traditional public school advocacy and school choice policies, highlighting how political positions on charter schools may be affecting practical solutions to educational and fiscal problems in Rhode Island's largest school district. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/09/22/anti-charter-school-stance-on-providen…

RIDE Recognizes 3 Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Schools

The Rhode Island Department of Education established a state Blue Ribbon Schools Program and recognized Melville Elementary School in Portsmouth, Pocasset Elementary School in Tiverton, and Robert L. Bailey IV Elementary School in Providence as 2025 awardees. RIDE created the state program after the federal Department of Education abruptly ended the longstanding National Blue Ribbon program in late August. Melville was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School, while Pocasset and Bailey Elementary were selected as Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools, honoring exceptional teaching and student achievement across Rhode Island. Source: abc6.com

https://www.abc6.com/ride-recognizes-3-rhode-island-blue-ribbon-schools/

PPSD Students, Teachers Grapple with Growing AI Usage in Schools

Providence Public School District students and teachers are navigating the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools in educational settings, balancing the benefits of AI assistance with concerns about academic integrity and learning authenticity. The adoption of AI technologies in PPSD classrooms reflects broader national debates about how schools should integrate emerging technologies while ensuring students develop critical thinking skills and genuine understanding. Educators and students are working to establish appropriate boundaries and best practices for AI use in assignments, research, and classroom instruction. Source: browndailyherald.com

https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/10/ppsd-students-grapple-with-grow…

Rhode Island Students Test Scores Inch Up, Still Chase Massachusetts

Rhode Island's 2025 RICAS results show 31.4% of grades 3-8 students proficient in math, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, while English Language Arts proficiency reached 33.7%, still below pre-pandemic rates. Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green emphasized that Rhode Island is narrowing the gap with Massachusetts, which remains ahead with 39% ELA proficiency and 40% math proficiency. The results demonstrate Rhode Island's continuing academic recovery and closing achievement gaps, though chronic absenteeism remains a significant factor, with students who attend regularly scoring 18-24 percentage points higher than chronically absent peers. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/02/rhode-island-students-test-scores-inch…

Former Gov Raimondo Chief of Staff Appointed to Oversee Pension Fund

State Treasurer James Diossa appointed a former chief of staff to Governor Gina Raimondo to oversee Rhode Island's pension fund, a position with significant implications for the state's financial health and retirement security for public employees including teachers and education staff. The pension fund management affects thousands of Rhode Island educators whose retirement benefits depend on the fund's performance and prudent investment strategies. The appointment reflects ongoing efforts to ensure stable funding for public employee pensions while managing the state's fiscal obligations to education and other government workers. Source: golocalprov.com

https://www.golocalprov.com/politics/diossa-appoints-former-raimondo-chief-of-st…

Former Oklahoma Ed Chief's Tenure Offered Microcosm of Administration's Education Overhaul

Analysis of former Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters' tenure provides insights into the Trump administration's broader education policy approach, examining controversial reforms and their implementation at the state level. The examination of Oklahoma's education changes offers Rhode Island educators perspective on national education policy trends and potential federal initiatives that could affect state education systems. Understanding these policy experiments in other states helps Rhode Island education leaders anticipate and prepare for potential shifts in federal education priorities and funding. Source: the74million.org

https://www.the74million.org/article/ryan-walters-oklahoma-tenure-offered-microc…

Gov McKee Responds to Fed Lawsuit Against RIDE, Providence Schools

Governor Dan McKee has responded to the federal Department of Justice lawsuit against the Rhode Island Department of Education and Providence Public School District over the "Educators of Color Loan Forgiveness Program." The DOJ alleges the program, which offers up to $25,000 in student loan forgiveness to newly hired teachers of color while excluding white teachers, violates federal civil rights law. McKee and state education officials defend the program as necessary to address diversity gaps in teaching staff and improve educational outcomes for students of color. Source: turnto10.com

https://turnto10.com/news/local/gov-mckee-responds-to-federal-lawsuit-against-ed…

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