RIDE outlines conditions for accelerated return to local control of Providence schools; council hears city plan and passes federal-education resolution

Deputy Commissioner Drew Robertson of the Rhode Island Department of Education told Providence’s special committee on health, opportunity, prosperity and education that RIDE is prepared to consider an "accelerated return" of Providence Public School District (PPSD) to local control if five conditions are met: governance, finances, facilities, legislation and a joint transition plan.

Robertson said RIDE views progress on those areas as prerequisites and that "we are not currently ready for a 2025 transition," but that an accelerated return could be considered for 2026 if the conditions are satisfied; otherwise discussions would likely extend into 2027. He presented data RIDE says show academic and attendance improvements in Providence since the state intervention, including an approximately 5% increase in literacy scores, a 5% increase in math scores and a 5% drop in chronic absenteeism in several schools, and cited a $5,000,000 investment to support multilingual learners.

The city administration and Providence school board members described parallel efforts. Melissa Hughes, Providence School Board member, said the board has begun training through the Council of Great City Schools and approved a community listening script at its May 21 meeting to gather consistent input that will shape 3–5 student-outcome goals. "I am really excited to get started," Hughes said of the outreach and subsequent…