Rhode Island is one of the 10 states selected to participate in New Skills for Youth (NSFY), an initiative enhancing state efforts to increase the number of learners across the country who are prepared for success in both college and career. NSFY is a $75 million national initiative developed by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in collaboration with the Council of Chief State School Officers, Advance CTE and Education Strategy Group.
In the first two years of NSFY, Rhode Island established PrepareRI, a comprehensive initiative to promote career readiness for students across the state. With engagement from local industry leaders and policymakers, Rhode Island has successfully expanded high-quality career pathways and work-based learning (WBL) experiences for high school students. In 2018, Rhode Island’s three priority strategies were:
- Operationalizing WBL statewide: Rhode Island developed new definitions and guidance for high-quality WBL programs, selected a statewide intermediary to coordinate placements, and piloted the PrepareRI summer internship program for rising high school seniors.
- Leveraging state funding to improve the quality of career pathways and secure equitable outcomes: State leaders worked to align state funding with program quality, launch the new Innovation and Equity Grant program and restructure inter-district funding protocols.
- Catalyzing innovation through PrepareRI ambassadors: The PrepareRI ambassadors program, which provides stipends for local leaders to design and lead a PrepareRI project in their communities, was expanded significantly in size and scope following success during the 2017-18 pilot year.
To read more about the 10 New Skills for Youth states, visit the 2018 NSFY Snapshots series page.
