Guide to the Providence School Department records , 1828-2001

(bulk 1828-1961)

Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Providence School Department records
Date range:	1828-2001, (bulk 1828-1961)
Creator:	Providence (R.I.)--School Department
Extent:	77.4 cubic feet other
Abstract:	The Providence School Department records consist primarily of meeting minutes of the Providence School Committee (1828-1965), resolutions of the Providence School Board/Committee (1965-2001), reports and manuals (1861-1961) and various images (1907-1923) including lantern slides (1800-1870).
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island State Archives
Collection number:	2005-44

Scope & content

The Providence School Department records consist primarily of meeting minutes of the Providence School Committee (1828-1965), resolutions of the Providence School Board/Committee (1965-2001), reports and manuals (1861-1961) and various images (1907-1923) including lantern slides (1800-1870).

The minutes of the Providence School Board include resolutions adopted by the board and are contained within the minutes during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Later on, a sub-series was created called Adopted Resolutions. Another sub-series also emerges called “Resolutions” which are resolutions arranged numerically. These resolutions can also appear within the minutes. Generally there is some duplication between the different sub-series. Generally all records are arranged by school or calendar year. Most of the records from the 1970’s need preservation photocopying.

Lantern slides were used for the publication of the ‘Report of the School Committee, for the year 1899-1900: Centennial Celebration of the Establishment of the Public Schools” in the City of Providence. Printed by Snow and Farnham, City printers, 63 Washington Street, Providence, 1901.

Original brown kraft wrapper labeled "School Centennial Lantern Slides."

Some of the slides are cracked. #29 and #30 have multiple cracks and are unstable. A portion are reproductions of the Providence Town Papers and are transcribed in the school committee report of 1899-1900

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Providence (R.I.)--School Department
• School Committee of the City of Providence

Subject Topics

• Providence (R.I.)--Government.
• Providence (R.I.)--History.
• Providence (R.I.)--Intellectual life--20th century.
• School management and organization.
• School administrators.
• School attendance.
• School boards.
• Education.
• Education, Elementary.
• Education, Secondary.
• Educators.
• Special education
• Teachers.
• Schools.
• Teaching.
• Students.

Geographical Names

• Providence (R.I.)

Subject Topics

• Education
• Government, Politics and Law
• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Document Types

• minutes
• appointment books
• volumes (documents by form)
• lists (document genres)
• scrapbooks
• clippings (information artifacts)
• lantern slides
• photographs
• black-and-white photographs

Arrangement

The Providence School Department records are arranged into the following series:

• Series 1. Bound Manuscripts, 1828-1992
• Series 2. Minutes and Adopted Resolutions of the School Board/Committee, 1965-2001
• Series 3. Images, 1907-1923
• Series 4. Printed Reports and Manuals, 1861-1961
• Series 5. Lantern Slides, 1800-1870

Historical note

The Providence School Board is the governing body responsible for ensuring that the Providence Public School District provides a high-quality education for all Providence students. Board responsibilities include:

Establishing policy to guide the superintendent in the administration and operation of the schools:

- Monitoring progress toward achieving district goals

- Engaging the community in planning for and supporting the schools

- Approving annual budget and monitoring district finances

- Selecting and evaluating the superintendent of schools

The School Board governs within a complex environment shaped by the current national focus on improving student achievement. PSB decision-making is constrained by Federal State laws and regulations, often limited resources, and sometimes competing demands from community members and various constituencies.

The Providence School Board is a nine-member Board appointed by the Mayor and affirmed by the City Council. There are three Board officers as directed in the City Charter: president, vice-president and secretary. Appointments generally are made in December with new Board members taking their seats and electing officers every January. Board members adhere to the highest ethical standards, including but not limited to those defined in state law, city codes of ethics, and adopted board codes of ethics. Board members also receive a modest annual stipend.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Use of the materials:	Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Preferred citation:	Providence School Department records, 2005-44, Rhode Island State Archives.
Contact information:	Rhode Island State Archives Rhode Island State Archives 337 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-222-2353 Fax: 401-222-3199 email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Transferred to the State Archives in 2005.
Custodial history:	Removed from vault, Central High School, June 23 – 24, 28, 2005. School Board Minutes removed from Providence School Department Administration Building at 797 Westminster Street, Providence, R.I. on October 18 and 21, 2005.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Kate Telford.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Kate Telford 2009 September 30
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

Providence City Auditor – Reports (1891–1938) C#1007Providence City Council Resolutions (1871–1932) C#1006Providence City Documents – annual (1854–1908) C#0957Providence City Manuals – annual (1862–1920) C#1005Providence School Committee - Reports (1868–1937) C#1008Public Schools and Education in RI (1851)Report on Public Schools/Education (1854)School Fund Book (1828–1847) C#0033Special Report on Truancy/Absenteeism (1856)State Agent of Public Schoola (1844)State Board of Education Reports (1874-1909)State Board Report, Textile Schools (1898)

Inventory

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