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Rhode Island Education Collective convenes over 100 students, families, educators and leaders to collaborate on improving public education

“This is personal for us. We want to make sure we focus on equity.” – Victor Capellan, Founder and CEO of The Rhode Island Education Collective. 

(Providence, RI) – Earlier this month, over 100 parents, students, educators, school leaders and community members met at Rhode Island Education Collective’s new Washington Park office and committed to working together to improve the state’s public education system, especially for students in underserved communities. Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez, State Senator Sandra Cano, and Senior Advisor to Governor McKee, Jeremy Chiappetta, were among the attendees. 

The Collective’s Founder and CEO stressed the urgency to address deep and long-standing systemic inequities. “Our mission is to challenge the status quo in Rhode Island. For the last 40 years I've been a part of the system, first as a student and then as a principal and state education official. During that time, too many of the stories and statistics have stayed the same - the majority of Black and brown students are falling behind. That is not acceptable,” said Victor Capellan. “We are going to put students’ needs first. That sounds very simple, but I can tell you, right now, that is not what happens every day.” 

 In 2023, only 33 percent of Rhode Island students in grades 3 through 8 tested proficient in English Language Arts on the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) test and only 29 percent met or exceeded expectations in math. The results in Rhode Island’s poorest, most diverse districts were even more disheartening. Only 15 percent of Providence students tested proficient in ELA and only 13 percent were proficient in math. 

Rhode Island Education Collective is a new nonprofit organization working to ensure that every child in the state can go to a great public school. To achieve this vision, the Collective will bring together people who care about our schools to advocate for, build, and collaborate on innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in public education. 

The Collective’s June gathering is the culmination of months long efforts to engage diverse members of Rhode Island’s education community to share their concerns, hopes and ideas. During a series of forums, participants met the concept and commitment with enthusiasm; engaging in lively discussions, sharing personal testimonials of their lived experiences and pledging to support students.  

One Cranston high schooler shared: "There was great collaboration and inclusivity among the parents, administrators, (education workers) and students." A Providence mom added: "I’m very interested in being part of a team that ensures the well-being of our children, where education is the axis that moves us all." 

The Collective is eager to bring more people who care about Rhode Island’s schools into the conversation. To get involved and learn more, follow the Collective on Instagram and X and sign up to receive information about future events.