Raimondo Launches New Website to Connect RI Parents of Young Children to Education Resources

Raimondo Launches New Website to Connect RI Parents of Young Children to Education Resources

The site, kids.ri.gov, will provide resources on early childhood education and development from prenatal to Pre-K.

"We are working together across state government to enhance our birth–5 system because it’s the right thing to do. These kids are the future of our state and deserve access to high-quality services from the moment they are born. I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues in government to make impactful changes that will shape the lives of our littlest citizens,” said Department of Human Services Director Courtney Hawkins.

The website was made possible through a one-year, $4.19 million federal preschool development grant.

“This grant has laid important groundwork as we look to continue to increase investments in early childhood education and development. Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves a shot at a bright future,” said Raimondo.

Impact of RICAS

The website is launched a week after the 2019 Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) scores were released.

As GoLocalProv reported, statewide proficiency in the 2019 RICAS test increased by 3 to 4 percent over last year.

“Last week, we released our RICAS results, and I was asked the question, ‘why are students performing better in the earlier grades?’ The answer is that we are seeing the early impact of investments in high-quality early education, especially through the expansion of RI Pre-K. Establishing that strong foundation for all students is an investment that pays dividends and sets students on a path to success. Engaging families in this work is a critical part of the process,” said Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green.

Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT added, “Children's early learning, healthy development, and school readiness depend on ensuring that families have access to high-quality programs and resources from prenatal through age five, including high-quality childcare, Head Start, RI Pre-K, early intervention, immunizations, early oral health care, and early literacy.”

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RICAS 2018-2019 ELA Rankings: RI’s Top - and Worst - Districts and Charters

#50

Central Falls

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

12.62%

#49

Woonsocket

Students meeting or exceeding expectations:

14.10%

#48

Beacon Charter School 

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

14.49%

#47

Trinity Academy for Performing Arts

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

15.28%

#46

Providence

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

17.22%

#45

Pawtucket

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

24.33%

#44

West Warwick

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

24.47%

#43

Segue Institute for Learning

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

24.89%

#42

Newport

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

25.49%

#41

Southside Charter School

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

22.73%

#40

Paul Cuffee Charter School

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

27.84%

#39

Highlander Charter School

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

29.01%

#38

The Hope Academy

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

29.17%

#37

Burrillville

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

29.85%

#36

International Charter School

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

31.76%

#35

East Providence

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

35.49%

#34

Johnston

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

36.12%

#33

Warwick 

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

37.90%

#32

Middletown

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

39.51%

#31

Cranston

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

41.13%

#30

Learning Community

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

41.67%

#29

North Providence

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

42.09%

#28

Foster

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

44.03%

#27

Little Compton

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

46.63%

#26

Tiverton

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

47.26%

#25

Lincoln

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

47.35%

#24

Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

48.83%

#23

Coventry

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

50.17%

#22

Westerly

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

51.84%

#21

Bristol-Warren

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

51.97%

#20

Narragansett

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

52.79%

#19

Foster-Glocester

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

53.53%

#18

Exeter-West Greenwich

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

53.85%

#17

Scituate

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

54.43%

#16

Portsmouth

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

55.82%

#15

Achievement First Rhode Island

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

57.07%

#14

Smithfield

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

57.81%

#13

Chariho

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

58.14%

#12

South Kingstown

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

52.29%

#11

North Kingstown

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

59.73%

#10

Cumberland

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

61.25%

#9

North Smithfield

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

61.67%

#8

The Compass School

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

63.56%

#7

Jamestown

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

58.97%

#6

Glocester

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

64.06%

#5

East Greenwich

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

64.22%

#4

New Shoreham

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

70.83%

#3

Kingston Hill Academy

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

71.30%

#2

Barrington

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

72.94%

#1

RISE Prep Mayoral Academy 

Students meeting or exceeding expectations: 

76%