RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island’s dropout policies offer great potential for action and reform.

HB 5351 (2007), Rhode Island’s seminal dropout policy, mandates the identification of early interventions for ninth graders who fail core math courses.  Rhode Island stands out for being one of two states targeting dual enrollment policy to struggling students and dropouts. Under Rhode Island’s Fast Track to College program, adopted in 2007, out-of-school youth ages 19 and older and enrolled high school students ages 17 and older have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while earning credits toward a college degree. Another stipulation of the program is that local school districts are to pay the tuition for developmental courses at community colleges during each year that a student is included in the school’s official enrollment.  Although this legislation was enacted in 2007, no information has been found about an operational "fast track to college" program.

Teacher advisories and other student supports, such as coaching for middle school students reading below grade level and at risk of dropping out, are mandated under HB 5351. Dropout prevention programs are also included in the Rhode Island Literacy and Dropout Prevention Act of 1967.

In 2007, Rhode Island raised the compulsory attendance age to 18. The state's maximum public school entitlement age is determined by local districts. Since 2008, the state has reported the National Governors Association's graduation rate, but does not include it in its accountability system.