RI Data Project

data project logo

 

Overview

The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner has partnered with the RI Data Project, an initiative that seeks to improve outcomes for all Rhode Islanders through a more coordinated use of data in our policy and program decision-making. Other partners include RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE), RI Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT), RI Adult Education Professional Development Center; and The Providence Plan.

Supported by robust data-sharing agreements, the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner contributes data to the RI Data Hub, which brings together available state-wide information to create an integrated and secure data infrastructure across the spheres of education, economy, health and human services, and civic engagement.

 

Data Stories

By bringing together data from its partners, the RI Data Hub produces data stories that translate raw information into meaningful and actionable insights into what is happening in Rhode Island. Postsecondary data has contributed to a number of data stories that make important connections with the PK-12 system and workforce development initiatives in our state:

 

Joint Research Initiative

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner have partnered to support outstanding research that investigates and leads to new directions in policy and practice aimed at promoting the well-being of Rhode Island's children and youth, their families and their communities.

Four research projects were selected for their potential to foster long-term policy-relevant research collaborations between state agencies and the state’s longitudinal data system:

  • $15,000 for CCRI, Nursing Admissions and Placement
  • $15,000 for Portland State University, RI Adult Basic Skills Program Success
  • $10,100 for URI, Socio-emotional Learning in STEM Classrooms
  • $8,000 for URI, RI’s Joint Admissions Agreement Programs

Selected research projects will analyze data from the RI Data Hub to inform policy-making and decision-making around improving the alignment between education/ training programs and workforce needs, promoting equity and access for public programs and services, delivering public services more efficiently and effectively, and using linked data to offer new insights for existing programs and services. 

Funds for the mini-grants come from a larger $4 million-grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) project that funds the RI Data Project. Additional funds may be available for a second round of mini-grants, and in that event, a call for applications would be announced in March.