The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has posted a draft of its State Plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the federal education law that replaced No Child Left Behind. Educators, families, and all Rhode Islanders are invited to review the draft plan and provide feedback through June 30.

After the 30-day public comment period closes, the ESSA State Plan will be revised to incorporate feedback before its final submission to the U.S. Department of Education by September 18, 2017. 

“The ESSA State Plan draft represents more than a year of hard work, thoughtful policymaking, and, most importantly, input from educators and the community-at-large,” Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Ken Wagner said in a statement. “I hope that all Rhode Islanders who are interested in and care deeply about education will take this opportunity to review the plan and share their thoughts on the future of teaching and learning in our state.”

This public comment period follows up on extensive public engagement, including five community feedback forums around the state in fall of 2016 and another six community feedback forums in the spring of 2017. Hundreds of Rhode Islanders joined these public forums or weighed in through online input surveys. RIDE additionally engaged in smaller sessions with community stakeholder groups, including the Committee of Practitioners, a group of educators, advocates, parents, and community leaders that convene each month to provide direction on the Rhode Island ESSA State Plan.

The ESSA State Plan draft can be viewed on the RIDE website: www.ride.ri.gov/ESSA.