Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the recipients of $3.8 million in Learn365RI grants, marking the program’s second round of funding to support learning beyond the traditional school day.
In total, 29 municipalities received grants between $40,000 and $400,000 to create or expand extended learning programs, with many focusing on improving attendance, FAFSA completion rates, and academic proficiency.
According to Governor McKee’s office, Newport will receive $393,688.47, and Middletown will receive $269,413.
This is the second round of Learn365RI grants for Newport.
On August 8, 2023, Governor McKee announced Newport would receive $340,000 to “support a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, and the EBCAP/Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone, to expand the Reading Reaps (R3) Rewards project from a summer program to a year-round program targeting Kindergarten to fourth grade students. It will also support FAFSA completion with a series of workshop events and target attendance with various community engagement events with FabNewport”.
What’sUpNewp reached out to Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong and Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain to see how the additional grant will be used.
“This is wonderful news! What a great way to start the week, Superintendent Jermain shared with What’sUpNewp via email. “This is in addition to what was received last year to help us continue all the good work our community partners working with our teachers are doing. I will defer to Mayor Xay for more information and many thanks for his leadership for Newport”.
“This is the second round of funding under the Governor’s Learn365 initiative, and will allow us to continue the impactful programming we’ve implemented with our community partners”, Mayor Xay shared with What’UpNewp via email. “Importantly, the bulk of this funding is focused on after-school programs that serve students attending Pell Elementary, providing resources to build continuity between what students are doing in the classroom and after school, so we can improve educational outcomes. In its first six months this partnership with Newport Public Schools is yielding big improvements for our kids, and we are excited the Governor and state are supporting a continuation of this program”.
In Middletown, the grant will support an Attendance and Student Success Coordinator in partnership with Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Child Opportunity Zone, and the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County, as well as support the Municipal Youth Leadership Program, according to Governor McKee’s office.
According a press release from Governor McKee’s office, the second round of funding was made possible by Governor McKee’s #TeamRhodeIsland budget, which directs $5 million to support high-quality, out-of-school programming, with an emphasis on critical skill development.
“Investing in our children’s education is investing in the future of Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee in a statement. “From reducing chronic absenteeism to increasing reading and math proficiency, Learn365RI programs are a critical part of our commitment to ensuring that all students have access to quality learning experiences year-round.”
“The Learn365RI grant program is not just about filling time; it is about enriching the lives of our students, supporting their academic and personal growth, and preparing them for a successful future,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green in a statement. “We share our gratitude with our municipal partners for their efforts to improve student outcomes, strengthen community ties, and build support networks.”
The Learn365RI program is part of Rhode Island’s broader strategy to improve educational outcomes and support the holistic development of students by improving three key metrics: the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) mathematics and English Language Arts scores; school attendance rates; and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates.
The initiative seeks to create a supportive and enriching learning environment for all students by fostering partnerships between municipalities, schools, community organizations, and families. Recipients of the $40,000 standard grants demonstrated effective plans and use of funds; expanded grants of up to $400,000 aim to provide more intensive services to students and families and demonstrate a higher level of impact on the key Learn365RI metrics.
Learn365RI expanded grant recipients include:
- Central Falls – $200,000
- Cranston – $366,327.40
- East Providence – $200,000
- Middletown – $269,413
- Newport – $393,688.47
- North Kingstown – $189,124.06
- Pawtucket – $200,000
- Providence – $200,000
- Smithfield – $189,124.07
- South Kingstown – $325,000
- Warwick – $332,065
- Woonsocket – $200,000
Standard grant recipients include:
- Barrington
- Bristol
- Burrillville
- Cumberland
- East Greenwich
- Hopkinton
- Lincoln
- Little Compton
- New Shoreham
- North Providence
- North Smithfield
- Portsmouth
- Scituate
- Tiverton
- Warren
- West Warwick
- Westerly
