Rhode Island Assessment Letter 2
January 19, 2001
Pater McWalters
Commissioner of Education
Rhode Island Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education
Shepard Building
255 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903-3400
Dear Commissioner McWalters:
It has been a pleasure working with you and your staff to conclude the review process for Rhode Island’s final assessment system under the Title I. I appreciate your cooperation in making the changes in your assessment system that were necessary to meet the requirements of Section 1111(b)(3) and 1116(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Your letter of January 19, 2001, indicates that Rhode Island will satisfactorily complete all of the changes requested and that new procedures will be in effect for the 2000-2001 administration of your assessments.
On the basis of those changes and the evaluation conducted by external peer reviewers and U.S. Department of Education staff, I am pleased to provide full approval for Rhode Island’s final assessment system.
Please be aware that approval of Rhode Island’ assessment system for Title I is not a determination that the system complies with federal civil rights requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Finally, please remember that if significant changes are made to Rhode Island’ assessment and/or accountability system, you must submit information about those changes to the Department as required by section 1111(e)(2) of Title I.
Congratulations on a fully approved assessment system.
Sincerely,
Michael Cohen
Assistant Secretary
