RIDE Launches “Commissioner’s Counselors” Program to Strengthen Statewide School Counseling

RIDE Launches "Commissioner's Counselors" Program to Strengthen Statewide School Counseling

Published on Tuesday, February 03, 2026

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Today, Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green was joined by Lorraine Hastings, Vice President, Counselor Community Engagement at the College Board, for the first meeting of Rhode Island's "Commissioner's Counselors" initiative, a partnership between RIDE and the College Board.

Rhode Island is the first state in the country to partner with the College Board to ensure a statewide approach to comprehensive school counseling. The initiative follows the release of RIDE's Framework for Comprehensive PreK-12 School Counseling Programs.

The "Commissioner's Counselors" initiative provides districts with access to College Board tools and training, support for implementing the ASCA-aligned framework, technical assistance for building robust ILP and advising systems, and resources to improve college and career readiness, especially for underserved students in Rhode Island.

The meeting included representatives from Governor McKee's Workforce Board, University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Roger Williams University, and the U.S. Army. Fifty-seven school counselors from 35 high schools, representing half of Rhode Island's high school students, are participating as part of the first cohort of the "Commissioner's Counselors" initiative.

"We are working with stakeholders across the state to ensure that every Rhode Island student graduates high school with the skills, supports, and opportunities needed to shape their own future," said Governor Dan McKee.

Following extensive outreach to, and feedback from, students and families, counselors, educators, and administrators, local education agencies have begun implementing Readiness-Based Graduation Requirements, which place an emphasis on postsecondary readiness, including FAFSA completion and career planning.

"School counselors play a critical role in preparing Rhode Island students for college and career readiness by helping them navigate academic choices, explore postsecondary options, and develop essential life skills," said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. "RIDE is committed to supporting school counselors as they work to empower students to make informed decisions and successfully transition from high school to college, careers, and beyond."

"School counselors are central to helping students turn aspirations into clear, achievable plans for life after high school," said Lorraine Hastings, Vice President of Counselor Community Engagement for the College Board. "By investing in counselors and strengthening college and career readiness, we are ensuring every student graduates with the skills, support, and flexibility they need to succeed, whether their next step is college, career, apprenticeship, or military service."

Rhode Island's Readiness-Based Graduation Requirements, which go into effect for the Class of 2028, establish college- and career-ready coursework as the default expectation for every child in Rhode Island, regardless of where they live, their parents' income, the language they speak at home, or their disability status.

RIDE has been offering implementation support as part of a "Let's Get Ready" Action Plan focused on increasing student engagement and expanding real-world learning experiences.

Through the "Commissioner's Counselors" initiative and the "RAMP 30×30" effort, RIDE is investing more than $150,000 directly into school counseling across Rhode Island. "RAMP 30×30" is a statewide initiative to dramatically strengthen and professionalize school counseling programs by expanding the number of Rhode Island schools that earn national RAMP recognition from the ASCA by the year 2030.

RAMP stands for Recognized ASCA Model Program, a national designation awarded to schools that fully implement a high-quality, data-driven school counseling program aligned to the ASCA National Model.

At the event, RIDE also announced that Smithfield High School and Ponaganset High School in Scituate have earned national RAMP recognition, a major milestone toward the state's goal of 30 nationally recognized RAMP schools by 2030.