State News Roundup

The 21st Century Education Commission in Rhode Island issued its final report last month, calling for an array of reforms ranging from shared decisionmaking at every school to creation of a series of professional-development schools to train teachers.

The commission, appointed by Gov. Bruce G. Sundlun, urged the state department of education, along with schools and districts, to establish statewide standards for student outcomes and to develop performance-based assessments linked to those standards. Schools that fail to meet the standards over several years should be subject to state intervention, including closure, the commission recommended.

In addition, the commission suggested that each Rhode Island district develop a formal and ongoing improvement process, including curriculum plans and...