Home > Teachers & Administrators > Leadership

Leadership

RIDE collaborates with local and national organizations to establish resources for school leaders that begin with preparation for the field and extend to the ongoing support and retention of our career administrators.

“School leadership is second only to teaching, among school-related factors, in its impact on student learning, according to research” - The Wallace Foundation

Site-based Management
RISEL

Overview & Resources

A portion of the Education Accountability Act (2019), referred to as “site-based management”, directly impacts the roles and responsibilities of school leaders. Specifically, the act:

shifts greater ownership to the school level by broadening the responsibilities of the principal and School Improvement Teams (SITs).
states that principals “shall be the educational administrators and managers of their schools & shall supervise the operation & management of their schools and school property."
establishes levels of accountability for districts/LEAs and schools.

There will be a transition period as LEAs and schools move to fulfill the requirements of site-based management by the start of the 2021 school year. LEAs that are able to do so sooner are encouraged to move forward prior to this start date.

Full version of the Education Accountability Act

Informational Document: This document provides an overview of the site-based management section of the Education Accountability Act. It is meant to assist LEAs/schools with communication and planning around this model, including the resources, supports, and action steps necessary for site-based management.

Informational Slide Deck: The purpose of this resource is to (1) assist LEAs/schools when beginning or continuing conversations around the implementation of site-based management and the accountability highlighted in the act; and (2) provide a starting point for LEAs/schools as they consider what supports and changes they will need to support the shifts in responsibility outlined in the act.
*NEW* LEA/School Readiness Assessment Tool: LEAs and schools can use this self-assessment tool to determine areas of strength, as well as challenges/areas of need as they begin to plan for the implementation of site-based management.

Workgroup: Beginning in December 2019, RIDE will be facilitating a workgroup of principals, superintendents, school committee members, union representatives & RIDE staff to create additional guidance and supports for school leaders as they implement site-based management. This workgroup will provide guidance regarding the implementation of the act and communicate with their respective constituents.

For questions regarding site-based management, contact RIDE's Leadership Fellow, Kristen Danusis at Kristen.Danusis@ride.ri.gov.

Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL)

According to a 2004 study completed by the Wallace Foundation, the impact strong school leadership can have in schools, particularly high-poverty schools, is paramount after teacher effectiveness. The Rhode Island Department of Education is focusing on strengthening leadership in Rhode Island schools in a variety of ways, including the creation, adoption, and implementation of the newly refreshed Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL).

Created by a workgroup consisting of teachers, principals, superintendents, and RIDE, the RISEL communicate the values, knowledge, and skills required to be an effective district level or school level leader in today’s world. The RISEL will influence leadership preparation, hiring, development and retention practices and inform the work of educational leaders across our state.