The mission of the Rhode Island Regional LASER Site is to develop the scientific literacy of all Rhode Island students and support K–8 science education reform in other New England states. Initially, the Rhode Island Regional LASER Site serves 38 Rhode Island public school districts (more than 90,000 K–8 students) that are in the exploratory stages of K–8 science education reform. When there is space available, other Rhode Island and New England districts, including parochial and independent schools, are welcome to participate in Rhode Island LASER services.

The Rhode Island Regional LASER Site is a consortium of these organizations:

• The East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC). EBEC is a non‑profit educational agency that provides services and resources to eight collaborating school districts representing 52 elementary and middle schools and more than 13,000 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. EBEC operates the Rhode Island Science Materials Resource Center, which provides materials support for 20 districts and more than 1,500 teachers.
• Rhode Island College (RIC). Rhode Island College has a 140-year history of teacher education and awards more than half of the education degrees in the state. Together, RIC and EBEC manage the HELMSS (High Expectations for Learning in Middle School Science) Project, a National Science Foundation Pilot Local Systemic Change through Teacher Enhancement science project.
• Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). RIDE serves more than 10,000 teachers from 36 school districts. Through Information Works and the SALT Survey, RIDE provides a wealth of pertinent evaluation data about the school communities. Also, RIDE has partnered with the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Foundation during the Rhode Island Teachers and Technology Initiative (RITTI). RITTI has reached 30% of the entire full-time teaching force in Rhode Island with substantial training in the use of technology, hardware, and software. RITTI teachers (1,500–2,000 K–8 teachers of science) are a major resource for the region.
• University of Rhode Island(URI). URI collaborates with seven districts from southern Rhode Island to manage the National Science Foundation-funded Guiding Education in Mathematics & Science–Network (GEMS–NET) local systemic change in K–8 Science. More than 350 teachers and 50 scientists serving 10,000 students each year are provided exemplary instructional materials, professional development with scientists working in partnership with teachers, and materials support.

For additional information about the Rhode Island LASER site and its programs and activities, contact:

Greg Kniseley
The KITES Project
Principal Investigator
Rhode Island College, HM-068
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
Email Address: [email protected]