RIMLE Recommendations for the Board of Regents A RIMLE Blue Ribbon Panel was formed in 2001 to formulate a position statement advocating for support in the area of middle level practice that would be submitted to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. In May of 2002, a formal presentation was made to the Regents asking for support of the middle level in the areas of Teaming, Common Planning Time, Advisory, and Professional Development in literacy, numeracy, and standards based instructional practice. The panel also asked for support, training, and professional development in conceptual practices for middle level administrators. There was a request for immediate action with the recommendation for a RIDE staff position to oversee and support the Regents' committee on high school reform and to provide programmatic leadership in the middle level. This position was filled in December of 2005 with the hiring of Ms. Tracey Whitehead as the Middle Level specialist. In May of 2004, a Middle School Summit was held that was co-sponsored by RIDE, RIMLE, and the School to Career Office. The day-long event was keynoted by Dr. James Beane, a nationally recognized middle level author and practitioner. Breakout sessions on middle level best practices were presented by Rhode Island educators. Information was collected from the participants for future advocacy purposes. By August 2004, the Blue Ribbon Panel presented its recommendations for the inclusion of middle level in the high school regulations to the Board of Regents. These recommendations have been taken under advisement by the Committee on Academic and Student Programs. In September and October of 2006, the revisions were submitted for public hearing where testimony was gathered and again taken under advisement. A new December 2007 draft was voted out to public hearing in March of 2008. The Regents are now finalizing the document before a final vote is taken. The RIMLE office will update this link as new information becomes available. Access the link below to view the newest version of the regulations. RIMLE's Recomendations to the Board of Regents (Updated March 6, 2008) | 