PPSD 2023 math proficiency surpasses pre-pandemic levels with greater growth this year compared to the

statewide increase; Leviton Dual Language School scores highest ELA growth in RI

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, the Providence Public School District (PPSD) announced the recently released results of the 2023 Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) show the District saw significant growth in math and English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency with an increase of 3.2 and 2.0 percentage points, respectively. PPSD 2023 math proficiency reached 13.0% compared to 9.8% in 2022 and surpassed the pre-pandemic level of 11.9%, with greater growth this year when compared to the increase seen statewide. ELA proficiency increased to 15.1% compared to 13.1% in 2022 and is equal to the increase seen statewide. The growth and performance of recently exited multilingual learner (MLL) students stood out with 27.5% of recently exited MLLs being proficient in RICAS ELA and 19.7% in math, exceeding the performance of all the District’s student body.

“Our focus must stay on continuous improvement, but I’m pleased that the 2023 RICAS results show that Providence Public Schools have forward momentum,” said Governor Dan McKee. “As we look to improve student outcomes across the state with our Learn365RI initiative, it is vital that our state’s largest district stays on a path to success. I will continue to partner with state, city, school, and community leaders to ensure the growth continues in the state’s capital city.”

“The last few years have been some of most challenging in history for education and we must recognize the resiliency and hard work of Providence students, teachers, and families,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Our work is far from over, but we will continue to center the needs of our students under the community-crafted Providence Turnaround Action Plan (TAP) to recover and march forward. I also want to acknowledge the work of the District in empowering and elevating recently exited multilingual learners, a group whose performance this year showed great promise. RIDE will continue to work with all stakeholders in the capital city to improve student outcomes.” 

Providence Public Schools’ multilingual learner population has grown from 22% in 2015 to 36% presently. Recognizing the need to better serve these historically underserved students, PPSD, under the Providence Turnaround, has offered financial support to assist teachers in securing English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESOL) certification. As a result of these efforts, educators who are ESOL certified have more than doubled from 17% to 40% since 2019, accounting for over 500 teachers.

“We are excited by the promising results of the latest RICAS scores - but know we must keep working hard to improve achievement across the board,” said PPSD Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez.  “I am thrilled to see growth district-wide indicating that we are making progress. A special congratulations to the team at my former school, Leviton Dual Language School, whose students accounted for the highest growth in ELA in an elementary school in Rhode Island. We are also overjoyed that our recently exited MLL students are leading the way in our academic recovery. These positive trends also show that our educators' talent and commitment to our kids and families is translating into gains for our students.” 

“As a former PPSD educator, I know that it is important that we acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our students to keep them on the right track,” said Providence School Board President Erlin Rogel. “The job is not done - but our school communities are taking positive strides. On behalf of the Providence School Board, I commend our school community.”

“Providence Public School teachers believe in our students, and we are committed to providing them the instruction and support needed to reach their highest potential,” said Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro. “I express my sincere gratitude to all the Providence teachers who have gone above and beyond for our students to help them learn and grow. Our focus remains on meeting the needs of our students and families to continue to move in the right direction.”

RICAS is administered yearly to students in grades 3 through 8, from March to May. The District is excited to share that several PPSD schools saw significant improvement in their scores. 

Schools with increased RICAS ELA scores include:

• Leviton Dual Language School (17.3% gain – this accounts for the highest growth in ELA in an elementary school in Rhode Island)
• Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School (7.2% gain)
• Reservoir Avenue Elementary School (7.9% gain)
• Asa Messer Elementary School (7.6% gain)

Schools with increased RICAS math scores include:

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School (14.4% gain)
• Leviton Dual Language School (14.5% gain)
• Robert L. Bailey, IV Elementary School (14.2% gain)
• George J. West Elementary School (10.5% gain)
• William D’Abate Elementary School (9.2% gain)
• Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School (10.2% gain) 
• Asa Messer Elementary School (7.6% gain)

Emphasizing the importance of daily attendance and underscoring the correlation between attendance and academic performance shown in the latest assessment scores, District leaders urge PPSD families to ensure that students are in school and ready to learn each day. The District launched an Attendance Hero campaign to promote good attendance which included the distribution of attendance calendar magnets and attendance compacts for families to sign committing to good attendance.

“The scores released recently represent the hope that the District and its students are coming back from learning loss experienced during the pandemic,” said Superintendent Montañez. “PPSD teachers and support staff will continue to use innovative tools and strategies and work with students to raise the bar. Together, PPSD will continue to help our young learners succeed.”