Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Outcomes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent reports rise in graduation rate and reduced absenteeism in Providence schools
Summary
In a superintendent's report the district cited improved academic outcomes — a reported four‑year graduation rate of 79.4 percent and falling chronic absenteeism — and previewed expanded early‑childhood slots and a teacher apprenticeship pipeline.
The superintendent opened the meeting with an extended update on student outcomes and district initiatives, telling the board that Providence graduated 1,393 high‑school students in recent commencements and that the district's four‑year graduation rate rose to 79.4 percent, described as the highest rate in more than a decade.
The superintendent said students showed gains in ELA and math — with math performance surpassing pre‑pandemic levels in some measures — and noted a steady decline in chronic absenteeism (reported at 29.2 percent for 2024–25 and 26.2 percent as of last week, with final figures to be confirmed after school closes). He also highlighted college successes: eight PPSD students were reported heading to Ivy League colleges in the fall, and one PCTA graduate received a full scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design.
District expansion of early‑childhood education was cited: officials said pre‑K capacity nearly doubled this year to increase access to early learning. The superintendent also described a newly registered "grow your own" teacher apprenticeship program — the district said it is the first in Rhode Island to launch and register such a program — and reported that three program completers were hired this year.
The superintendent closed by previewing an end‑of‑year assessment presentation from Dr. Dylan; later in the meeting the board discussed whether that assessment presentation should be moved or handled as a workshop if quorum issues arise.
