Examining attendance, teacher quality, and test results to understand student outcomes across the state of Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island believes the best decisions are being made for its school systems and students, basing decisions around timely and accurate data (https://ride.ri.gov/information-accountability/ri-education-data). This story will explore the current state of school performance, along with students all over Rhode Island.
Chronic absenteeism
Looking at current Rhode Island data, it is evident that although there are clear breakthroughs within the education system, there are still changes that need to be made. A clear factor that impacts the schools and students’ learning is student chronic absenteeism, “the unduplicated number of students absent 10% or more school days during the year for any reason,’’(SchoolChronicAbsenteeism). Within the 2024-2025 school year, Central High School, located in Providence, Rhode Island, with a total enrollment of 1,050, reported 49.8% of its students were chronically absent. Looking further into this issue, out of these chronically absent students and the potential reasons, 50.4% of these students were economically disadvantaged, 60.3% are students with disabilities, and 48.4 % were English learners, along with many other reasons (https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/202425/SchoolProfile?SchCode=28139&DistCode=28). Comparing Central High School to a charter school located in Providence, Paul Cuffee Upper School, with an enrollment of 243 students, there are noticeable differences. With only 19.2% of students chronically absent, 18.7% are economically disadvantaged, 25.9% are students with disabilities, and 12.5% are English learners (https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/202425/SchoolChronicAbsenteeism?SchCode=51603&DistCode=51). This impacts graduation rates not only within these two schools but with many school districts in Rhode Island, leading anywhere from 64.5% to around 82.3% of students on track to graduate within four years.
Standardized test results
Within the 2024-25 school year, results from the ELA and math performances showed that being absent truly does have a strong impact on the students and their learning. Results show that 81.5% of students who took the RICAS ELA exam and were chronically absent did not meet or were only partially meeting the expectations on the test. As well as 85.9% of students who took the RICAS math exam were chronically absent, did not meet, or were only partially meeting the expectations on the test (https://datacenter.ride.ri.gov/Home/FileDetail?fileid=1107). Students need to be present in order to succeed in school and in order to do well on their exams. Looking into exam scores, it is important to understand that chronic absenteeism may not be the only issue impacting students’ learning; teachers play a big factor in the students’ academic performance and development.
Teacher impact
Looking more into Central High School, rated only one out of five stars, there are a total of sixty-nine teachers as of the 2024-2025 school year. The data shows that 13% of these teachers are inexperienced, 16% are working outside of their field, 16% of the teachers are using an emergency or preliminary certificate, and 17% of school administrators are inexperienced (https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/202425/SchoolEducators?SchCode=28139&DistCode=28). This leads to a minimum number of teachers who can properly teach the students in the subject area they are expected to. Students and the community expect their school to provide the proper education for their youth, and it is important that the school achieves that standard. Another school located in Providence, Pleasant View School, which is rated three out of five stars, has a total of forty three teachers as of the 2024-2025 school year. Although this school is rated three out of five stars, we can not see much of a difference compared to the school rated one out of five stars. Looking at the data, 9% of the teachers are inexperienced, 16% are working outside of their field, and 16% of the teachers are using an emergency or preliminary certificate (https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/202425/SchoolEducators?SchCode=28165&DistCode=28). One of the big differences we can see between these schools is the pricing. Pleasant View School costs $29,349 per pupil expenditure, while Central High School costs $20,274 per pupil expenditure. This cost difference can provide schools with more resources and allow them to meet proper expectations.
How are schools rated equally in Rhode Island?
While schools are rated out of five stars in Rhode Island, it is crucial that everyone understands what these stars mean. These stars are a part of Rhode Island’s accountability system, which “provides a holistic review of school performance by looking at multiple measures such as test results, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism, which gives families clear views on the school based on what is rated out of these five stars” (https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/202425/SchoolProfile?SchCode=28139&DistCode=28). Schools are able to earn more stars, or increase their rating, if they meet higher performance levels in any of the categories, including achievement and growth, or diploma, plus measures. Every school in Rhode Island is given a fair chance to earn five-star ratings, so there is equal opportunity for every school district.
Although the state of Rhode Island has a good education system, there are key factors and data to look out for when deciding on a school district. This data can reveal underlying areas that need attention to improve schools.
Audio-Visual: JT Lawrence
Copy-Editing: Michelle Stiber
Research & Script Writing: Ana Dwyer