The Rhode Island Champions Project

The Rhode Island Learning Champions project, a collaborative effort of the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Great Schools Partnership, brought together outstanding Rhode Island educators and administrators to build the components of a proficiency-based learning system. The goal of this effort, funded by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, was to support high-quality proficiency-based learning from K to 12 to ensure every graduate can think critically and collaboratively and can act as a creative, self-motivated, culturally competent learner and citizen in order to be prepared for postsecondary education, work, and life.

Proficiency Framework

The proficiency-based learning framework below, which includes competencies, performance indicators, and scoring criteria, was developed in collaboration with more than 200 Rhode Island teachers as well as the Rhode Island Department of Education. This state-wide model can be used as a starting point for any school’s or district’s journey toward proficiency—not just in Rhode Island, but anywhere in the country.

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Graduation Proficiencies & Performance Indicators

Cross-Curricular Skills

Proficiencies include collaboration, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, reflection and evaluation, and research.

English Language Arts

Proficiencies include reading literature, reading informational text, writing, language, and speaking and listening.

Mathematics

Proficiencies include: mathematical reasoning and communication; modeling; number and quantity; functions and algebraic reasoning; geometry and measurement; and data, stastics, and probablility.

Social Studies

Proficiencies include history, geography, civics and governement, and economics.

Science

Proficiencies include: physical sciences such as structure and properties of matter as well as forces and interaction; life sciences such as matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems as well as heredity and natural selection; earth and space sciences such as earth systems and human impact as well as engineering, technology, and the application of science.

Scoring Criteria

English Language Arts

Includes grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Mathematics

Includes grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Social Studies

Includes grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Science

Includes grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Need help using this framework?
Download the guide by clicking the question mark above or by clicking here.