News and Features

Rhode Island’s foster care system continues to face significant strain as limited foster home availability creates instability for children in need of placement. Data shows that frequent moves, school disruptions, and unmet mental health needs contribute to lower graduation rates and long-term challenges for foster youth. The issue is particularly severe for teenagers, sibling groups, and children with behavioral or emotional needs. Structural factors such as high housing costs and limited system capacity further complicate placements. Expanding foster family recruitment, increasing trauma-informed care, and strengthening educational supports are key strategies to improving outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

This data story examines how student performance trends in Rhode Island are shaping the state’s education system and accountability efforts. Recent data reveal both successes and challenges: while some schools show strong outcomes, many absences still make learning difficult, and some students, like those from low-income families, English learners, or students with disabilities, face greater challenges. Teacher experience and qualifications also play a key role, affecting academic performance and graduation rates. By analyzing standardized test results, attendance patterns, and teacher data, this story highlights how the Rhode Island Department of Education uses data to guide decisions aimed at improving school performance, supporting students, and ensuring equitable opportunities across districts. The data show that attendance, good teachers, and available resources are key to student success across the state

Currently, Rhode Island is experiencing a rise in significant cyberattacks affecting both government systems and major businesses. Recent breaches, including the RIBridges data leak and the cyberattack on United Natural Foods, have exposed sensitive personal information, disrupted essential services, and created uncertainty for residents and companies across the state. These incidents highlight vulnerabilities in centralized digital systems and third-party vendor management, particularly in a smaller state with limited cybersecurity resources. While recovery efforts and security improvements are underway, continued investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, stronger vendor oversight, and increased public awareness are critical to protecting Rhode Islanders from future digital threats.