Advisory Boards and Councils
RIDE and other agencies serving students with disabilities are advised by several statewide boards and councils.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Advises the Commissioner for Elementary and Secondary Education on matters concerning the unmet special education needs of children with disabilities;
- Comments publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the State regarding the education of children with disabilities;
- Advises the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in developing evaluations and reporting on data;
- Advises RIDE in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under Part B of the IDEA; and
- Advises RIDE in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.
Membership
Membership of the committee is composed of individuals involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities maintain the majority of the Committee membership. The membership also includes individuals with disabilities, teachers, representatives of institutions of higher education, private schools, charter schools, state and local education officials, administrators of programs for children with disabilities, foster care and homelessness, vocational, community or business organizations, juvenile and adult corrections and State Child Serving Agencies.
Please click here to access the 2025-2026 RISEAC meeting schedule. The public and those individuals who may be interested in applying for membership are welcome to attend.
2025-2026 Membership
RISEAC has started its 2025-2026 membership recruitment and is seeking parents, school personnel, agency representatives and individuals interested in the education of children with disabilities to serve on the Committee. The Committee is seeking members who will bring a spirit of collaboration, sense of commitment and new ideas addressing the unmet needs of Rhode Island differently-abled students.
Applications can be accessed below and may be returned to Kathleen Perry (kathleen.perry@ride.ri.gov) at the RIDE Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports.
Be Informed!
- Please contact Kathleen Perry, Education Specialist, at kathleen.perry@ride.ri.gov or at 401-222-8344 with any inquiries or questions regarding the committee
- RISEAC meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the SOS website: Rhode Island Secretary of State. Meetings are open to the public. Individuals who need accommodations to enable participation in a meeting are invited to submit such requests two weeks prior to the meeting date by contacting Karen. Lovett at karen.lovett@ride.ri.gov or at (401) 222-8333.
The Rhode Island Vision Education Services Program (RIVESP) is governed by RI 16-26.1-15 which seeks to meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired children in the state of Rhode Island and advise on the educational policies to meet their needs. The law establishes that the RIVESP Advisory Board, is composed of individual involved in or concerned with the education of children with disabilities, parents, individuals with disabilities and other stakeholders. RI 16-26.1-15
The RIVESP Advisory Board is recruiting members. Please complete the “Bio Form” by January 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Meetings are open to the public. Individuals who are interested in joining or are in need of accommodations to enable participation in a meeting are invited to submit such requests two weeks prior to the meeting date by contacting Karen Lovett at karen.lovett@ride.ri.gov
Each year, the Rhode Island Department of Education reports a summary of services that the Rhode Island Vision Education Services Program has provided.
The Vision of the Transition Council
To create a partnership among state agencies, parents, students receiving special education services, and local education agencies. This partnership will serve to enable students and young adults with IEPs to successfully transition to adult life in their community.
Membership
Membership of the Transition Council includes students, parents, representatives of local education agencies and the following state agencies:
- RI Department of Education/Office of Student, Community & Academic Supports (Chair)
- RI Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals
- RI Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation Services
- RI Office of Higher Education
- RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
- RI Department of Labor & Training
- RI Department of Health
Be Informed!
- The RI Transition Council meetings are open to the public. The agenda and minutes are posted with the RI Secretary of State. Meetings are held from 2-3:00 at West Bay Collaborative, 99 James P Murphy Hwy, West Warwick RI 02893
- 2025-26 Meeting Dates
December 10, 2025
Get in Touch!
Andrew Rhoades, Education Specialist/Secondary Transition
RI Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-8181
Andrew.Rhoades@ride.ri.gov