Five candidates are competing in Providence City Council Ward 2 special election with early voting already underway. A public candidate forum was held on October 28 at Temple Beth-El, featuring discussions on local issues including education, housing, public safety, and community involvement. The Democratic primary is scheduled for November 4, with the general election on December 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
The Rhode Island Foundation's Arts in Academics Fund offers grants of $500 to $1,000 for K-12 public school teachers, artists, and nonprofit organizations to support educational projects that integrate art disciplines into core academic subjects. Funded by retired Rhode Island art educator Karel Greenblatt Gertsacov, the program supports collaborations between artists and educators that promote arts as an integral part of the learning process. Source: youthtoday.org
Researchers from OpenAI and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative argue that AI-powered education tools lack proper evaluation infrastructure to assess instructional quality. They developed automated evaluators with partners including Student Achievement Partners and Achievement Network to help educators assess key dimensions like text complexity, ensuring AI tools truly enhance education rather than providing unvetted content that could slow student development. Source: the74million.org
Governor McKee declared a state of emergency as the Trump Administration threatens to halt SNAP funding beginning November 1, affecting approximately 145,000 Rhode Island residents who receive $29 million monthly in food assistance. The state is deploying up to $6 million in TANF funding for emergency payments to families with children, $200,000 to the RI Community Food Bank, and the Rhode Island Foundation is earmarking $1 million in emergency grants to help feed people during the crisis. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
The Providence School Board says it's on track to complete professional development training required to regain control of city schools by next year, but the Rhode Island Department of Education insists more work is needed. The state took over Providence schools in 2019, with the takeover extended through 2027, though it could end sooner if specific conditions are met. Tensions remain over budget gaps, governance issues, and the timeline for returning local control. Source: rhodeislandcurrent.com
Providence City Council Ward 2 special election heats up with five candidates competing as early voting is underway. Democrat Jill Davidson secured a key endorsement from former Ward 2 Councilmember Helen Anthony. A public candidate forum is scheduled for Oct 28 at Temple Beth-El, with the Democratic primary on Nov 4 and general election on Dec 2. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
State Rep Megan Cotter discusses the personal impact of the federal government shutdown on Rhode Island families, including her own household where her husband works for the federal government. She calls for state-level action to support furloughed workers and criticizes both parties for prioritizing politics over people. Source: steveahlquist.substack.com
URI's GEMS-Net science teacher education program celebrates 30 years and relocates from the Bay Campus to the Kingston Campus. The program now supports 766 teachers and nearly 20,000 students across 15 Rhode Island school districts with phenomena-based science learning and professional development. An open house will be held Oct 29 from 4-5:30 PM at Pastore Hall. Source: uri.edu
Former State Rep Joanne Giannini reflects on decades of neglect at the historic Collegiate Gothic-style Mt. Pleasant High School and broken promises of renovation from city administrations. Officials broke ground on partial demolition before final approval, despite community concerns about preserving the 1938 landmark building. Source: golocalprov.com
Classical High School offers its entrance exam in Spanish for the first time in its 182-year history to ensure equal access for all students. Over 30 students took the bilingual exam, though questions remain about support systems for English language learners once admitted to the selective school. Source: oceanstatemedia.org