Blueprint for Change in Rhode Island: State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2010
Author: National Council on Teacher Quality
Date: 2010-00-00
Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Subjects: Teaching (Occupation),Elementary Secondary Education,Educational Policy,Teacher Evaluation,Teacher Effectiveness,Teacher Improvement,Tenure,Teacher Dismissal,State Government,State Regulation,Academic Achievement,Educational Improvement,Teacher Certification,Alternative Teacher Certification,Needs Assessment,Yearbooks,Retirement Benefits,Educational Change,Teacher Education,Special Education Teachers,Elementary School Teachers,Middle School Teachers,Educational Objectives,Comparative Analysis,Public Schools

The 2009 &quot;State Teacher Policy Yearbook&quot; provided a comprehensive review of states' policies that impact the teaching profession. As a companion to last year's comprehensive state-by-state analysis, the 2010 edition provides each state with an individualized &quot;Blueprint for Change,&quot; building off last year's &quot;Yearbook&quot; goals and recommendations. State teacher policy addresses a great many areas, including teacher preparation, certification, evaluation and compensation. With so many moving parts, it may be difficult for states to find a starting point on the road to reform. To this end, this paper provides a state-specific roadmap, organized in three main sections. Section 1 identifies policy concerns that need critical attention, the areas of highest priority for state policymakers. Section 2 outlines &quot;low-hanging fruit,&quot; policy changes that can be implemented in relatively short order. Section 3 offers a short discussion of some longer-term systemic issues that states need to make sure stay on the radar. In the 2009 &quot;State Teacher Policy Yearbook&quot;, Rhode Island had the following grades: (1) Delivering Well Prepared Teachers (D); (2) Expanding the Teaching Pool (C); (3) Identifying Effective Teachers (D); (4) Retaining Effective Teachers (D); and (5) Exiting Ineffective Teachers (F). Rhode Island has an overall grade of D for 2009. In the last year, many states made significant changes to their teacher policies, spurred in many cases by the Race to the Top competition. Based on a review of state legislation, rules and regulations, National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has identified the following recent policy changes in Rhode Island: (1) The Board of Regents approved a set of evaluation standards, thus allowing the state to develop a model evaluation system, which will be ready to use by 2011; and (2) Districts may no longer make teacher assignments that are based solely on seniority. In response to NCTQ's policy update, Rhode Island stated that as it examines various methodologies for combining components, it may not use a percentage base as a methodology for its evaluation system. Rhode Island added that since July, it has worked with more than 60 educators representing 23 districts and organizations to build the first version of the evaluation system. The state also pointed out that as it moves toward implementation in 2011, it plans to work with educator preparation programs to create a continuum that measures effectiveness and provides support for educators. Rhode Island added that its strategic plan and Race to the Top goals are very closely aligned and provide a road map to guide the state's work over the next four to five years. Individual sections contain footnotes. (Contains 5 figures.) [For the related reports, see &quot;Blueprint for Change: National Summary. State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2010&quot; (ED515614) and &quot;State Teacher Policy Yearbook, 2009. Rhode Island&quot; (ED511945).]