Laura Blackwell

This document outlines the Rhode Island Standards for Educator Preparation, detailing five core areas: Professional Knowledge, Clinical Partnerships and Practice, Candidate Quality, Recruitment, and Assessment, Program Impact, and Program Quality and Improvement. These standards define the expectations for educator preparation programs to ensure candidates are proficient, culturally competent, and effective in impacting PK-12 student learning, supported by robust clinical experiences, continuous assessment, and ongoing program improvement.

The strategic plan, named FOCUS, aims to identify and achieve goals in academic excellence, student experience, and resource stewardship. It emphasizes a transparent and research-informed process, guided by principles of community partnership and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key focus areas include self-advocacy for the college, sustainable investment in assessment to improve program quality and student experience, and effective implementation of strategic initiatives. The plan also seeks to standardize policies, enhance technology, and promote diversity and inclusion across the institution.

The 2024 Rhode Island College Strategic Compass outlines five key goals: 1. Student-Centered Ecosystem: Building a supportive ecosystem to improve student success, eliminate equity gaps, and reduce engagement disparities. 2. Professional Development: Investing in faculty and staff through professional development to enhance institutional transformation. 3. High-Performing & Effective Organization: Modernizing operational practices and core systems to increase efficiency and improve service. 4. Hispanic-Serving Institution: Embracing the HSI designation to ensure equitable opportunities for Hispanic students. 5. Connections Beyond the Campus: Strengthening community engagement, partnerships, and alumni relations to enhance the college's impact. The plan prioritizes improving student support systems, fostering collaboration, enhancing data infrastructure, modernizing operational systems, and strengthening community engagement. It emphasizes the importance of institutional values such as academic quality, diversity, equity, inclusion, student agency, empowerment, collaboration, accountability, and community.