KNOW YOUR STATE

Rhode Island

"Hope"

Rhode Island has a Department of Education, a State Board, and a State Commissioner of Education. The State Board consists of 17 members appointed to 3-year terms.

  • State Board Members: 17 Members; Appointed; 3-year term

  • Education Authorities: DoEd; State Board; State Commissioner of Education

How Rhode Island Scores on School Choice

Every state sets its own school choice rules, and Rhode Island is no exception. The NWEF School Choice Index scores Rhode Island on 17 measures, from open enrollment to education savings accounts, then ranks it against all 50 states. Open any category below to see where Rhode Island earns points and where it falls short.

Rhode Island

Rank #34 of 50

Growing

Rhode Island scores well on online learning. Its biggest gaps are private-school options like ESAs and vouchers and homeschooling.

Scored from state law · as of August 2026

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