Rhode Island is working to ensure its schools are safe and supportive. This page features school climate information for Rhode Island, including a list of grants the State and its communities have received; State discipline and bullying policies; data for a selection of indicators; and related news articles.
Grants Received
State Grant Programs
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program falls under ESSA, subpart 1 of Title IV, Part A. The SSAE program is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. States receive funds in the form of block grants and then fund local education agencies. To learn more, visit the T4PA Center website.
In 2019, the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This state is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/28/2020-11388/applicat....
In 2014, the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals received a Healthy Transitions grant. This 5-year grant program was designed to help improve access to treatment and support services for youth and young adults, ages 16-25 years old, who were at high risk of developing a serious mental or behavioral health condition. The goal of the program was to expand services and supports that were culturally competent and youth guided, improve cross-system collaboration, and increase public awareness of available resources and strategies for identifying early indications of serious mental health and substance use conditions among youth and young adults. To learn more, about this grant go to: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-14-017.
State Education Agency
In 2022, the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/04/2022-21631/applications-for-new-awards-school-based-mental-health-services-grant-program.
In 2019, the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/06/05/2019-11677/applications-for-new-awards-project-prevent-grant-program.
Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property
Indicator 1: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Had Been Threatened or Injured with a Weapon (For Example, a Gun, Knife, or Club) on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not have data for this indicator in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, or 2023.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2009 | 6.5 | 7.7 |
2013 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property
Indicator 2: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Having Been in a Physical Fight on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2009 | 9.1 | 11.1 |
2011 | 7.8 | 12.0 |
2013 | 6.3 | 8.1 |
2015 | 9.1 | 7.8 |
2017 | 10.5 | 8.5 |
2019 | 9.6 | 8.0 |
2021 | 6.6 | 5.8 |
2023 | 9.6 | 7.9 |
Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property
Indicator 3: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported that they Were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug by Someone on School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not have data for this indicator in 2015, 2017, 2019, or 2023.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2009 | 25.2 | 22.7 |
2011 | 22.4 | 25.6 |
2013 | 22.6 | 22.1 |
2021 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide
Indicator 4: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not have data for this indicator in 2021.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2009 | 11.8 | 15.8 |
2011 | 12.3 | 15.8 |
2013 | 13.9 | 17.0 |
2015 | 14.1 | 17.7 |
2017 | 15.9 | 17.2 |
2019 | 13.3 | 18.8 |
2023 | 15.7 | 20.4 |
Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property
Indicator 5: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Being Bullied On School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2009 | 16.3 | 19.9 |
2011 | 19.1 | 20.1 |
2013 | 18.1 | 19.6 |
2015 | 15.5 | 20.2 |
2017 | 17.3 | 19.0 |
2019 | 16.4 | 19.5 |
2021 | 10.3 | 15.0 |
2023 | 16.0 | 19.2 |
Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good
Indicator 6: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good (Poor Mental Health Includes Stress, Anxiety, and Depression) During the 30 Days Before the Survey
Data for this indicator are not available before 2021. This state did not collect data in 2023.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on November 20, 2024.
Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good | ||
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Year | Rhode Island | US |
2021 | 29.3 | 29.3 |