Rhode Island School For Progressive Education

The Rhode Island School for Progressive Education (RISPE) is Rhode Island’s newest educator preparation provider and the first institution of higher education in the state to be founded with the express mission of diversifying Rhode Island’s teacher workforce and promoting anti-racist education. RISPE received unanimous approval from the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education in March 2019. As of spring 2021, RISPE runs a PK-12 ESL Certification Program and is poised to launch three alternative certification programs (in Elementary, Secondary Math, and Secondary Science Education) over the next year, pending RIDE approval. RISPE’s plans for the future include the launch of two residency-style degree programs: an MAT with dual certification in Elementary and ESL Education and an MEd in Urban School Leadership with a Building Level Administrator certification.