Nonpublic Education in Rhode Island: Alternatives for the Future. A Study for the Rhode Island Special Commission To Study the Entire Field of Education.

This study was commissioned by the State of Rhode Island to provide a factual basis for future education policy decisions. Since Rhode Island has a higher percentage of children in nonpublic schools than any other State, the future of these schools is particularly crucial. Nonpublic schools in Rhode Island are divided into two basic types: Catholic and independent. Catholic schools enroll 21 percent of the State's pupils; independent schools, 2 percent. Demographic information in the study includes number and type of schools, enrollment, governance, faculty and student characteristics, class size, curriculum, facilities, and financing, as well as the history and legal status of independent and Catholic schools. Survey findings on Catholic attitudes toward Catholic schools are also included. Recommendations made to independent- and Catholic-school officials and to the Rhode Island General Assembly conclude the study. Eleven appendixes contain background material including all statistical information used in formulating conclusions. (Tables 1-72 may reproduce poorly in hard copy because of small print.) (MLF)