July 20, 2026

Rhode Island’s charter public schools are taking intentional, student-centered approaches to help students recover from the learning disruptions of recent years and prevent future learning loss. In a recent article by Steph Bernaba, educators from The Compass School and Segue Institute for Learning shared how their schools are working strategically to:

• Use technology intentionally
• Encourage strong student attendance
• Prevent and address summer learning loss

“First comes school culture, and the learning will follow,” said Julie Maruska of The Compass School. At Compass, students participate in hands-on learning experiences, including work on the school’s farm, while technology is used purposefully rather than constantly. Those efforts are reflected in student outcomes: Compass students consistently have some of the highest proficiency rates on the statewide science assessment.

At Segue Institute for Learning, educators partner closely with families to emphasize the importance of regular attendance and work together to address barriers that keep students out of school. John Sharrott, the school’s Director of Special Education, described the approach as “definitely a village effort.” During the 2025–26 school year, Segue had the second-lowest rate of chronic absenteeism among Rhode Island public schools.

Read the full article: https://oceanstatestories.org/it-takes-a-village-how-rhode-island-schools-are-reversing-the-learning-recession/

To learn more about Rhode Island’s charter public schools, visit https://richarterpublicschools.org/.

Posted by Lauren Matlach