Education is a lifetime process that begins at birth and continues throughout a child’s life into adulthood. Through their experiences in the classroom, children build academic, social-emotional, and study skills to help them succeed throughout their life.
Racial, ethnic, and income gaps in opportunities to obtain a high-quality education have been well-documented throughout the country. Research has shown that there are three clusters of factors that have an impact on student achievement: school factors, factors related to connections between home and school, and factors that exist before and beyond school (including health, nutrition, and non-school academic supports).
Factbook Indicators
The 2026 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook provides a statistical portrait of the status of Rhode Island’s children and youth.
By examining the best available data statewide and in Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT provides an information base that can result in more effective policy and community action on behalf of children and families.
EDUCATION INDICATORS
- Children Enrolled in Early Intervention
- Children Enrolled in Early Head Start
- Licensed Capacity of Early Learning Programs
- Children Receiving Child Care Subsidies
- High Quality Early Learning Programs
- Children Enrolled in Head Start or RI Pre-K
- Children Receiving Preschool Special Education Services
- Public School Enrollment and Demographics
- Children Participating in School Meals
- Out-of-School Time
- Multilingual Learners
- K-12 Students Receiving Special Education Services
- Student Mobility
- Reading Skills
- Math Skills
- Science Skills
- Arts Education
- Schools Identified for Intervention
- Chronic Early Absence
- Chronic Absence, Middle School and High School
- Suspensions
- High School Graduation Rate
- College Preparation and Access
- College Enrollment and Completion
- Teens Not in School and Not Working
Publications
Our publications provide an in-depth analysis of current issues affecting Rhode Island children and families, incorporating the best available data, research, and best practices. Each publication includes specific recommendations for improvement.
- Multilingual Learners in Rhode Island, 2023
- School-Based Mental Health Services in Newport: Perspectives from Newport Youth, Parents, and the Community, 2023
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities in K-16 Education in Rhode Island, 2023
- COVID-19 Impact and Recovery: An Equity Analysis of Rhode Island School Districts’ Planned Use of ESSER III Funds, 2022
- Spanish Equity Analysis of Rhode Island School Districts’ Planned Use of ESSER III Funds, 2022
- Policies and Practices Supporting Student-Centered Learning in Rhode Island: School Climate, 2020
- ESSER Community Fact Sheet, 2021
- Equitable Access to College and Career Readiness Opportunities, 2019
- Advisory Systems and Individual Learning Plans, 2019
Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative
- Coordinated by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, the Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative partners with Rhode Island youth organizations to advocate for equitable educational outcomes through advocacy and policy training. This work empowers young people to identify and address systemic barriers in education while amplifying their voices in decision-making. By fostering collaboration and equipping youth with the tools to drive change, the Collaborative strives to create a more just and inclusive educational system. Key focus areas include increasing school-based mental health professionals, advancing youth voting rights, and addressing racial inequities in school climate and disciplinary practices, such as out-of-school suspensions.
- The Collaborative is led by six youth and parent community organizations: Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE), Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), Providence Student Union (PSU), Youth In Action (YIA), Young Voices (YV), and Progreso Latino. These organizations bring invaluable lived experiences and a deep understanding of the systemic inequities and cultural dynamics affecting their communities.
Advocacy
Monitor Legislation in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
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