# Rhode Island Advances Arts Education to Reduce Absenteeism

Rhode Island government agencies have released a study demonstrating that sustained participation in arts education, particularly multi-year music instruction, correlates with significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates among K-12 public school students, with pronounced effects for high school seniors. This evidence supports ongoing state initiatives aimed at improving student attendance and engagement through expanded arts programming. Procurement professionals and contractors specializing in arts education, student engagement, and related services should note the state's commitment to leveraging arts as a strategic tool to address absenteeism and may find emerging opportunities to support these efforts.

- Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) are key agencies driving arts education initiatives linked to attendance improvement.
- The study's findings reinforce the value of arts education contracts and programs, potentially increasing demand for qualified vendors offering music and arts instruction services.
- Organizations involved in educational program delivery should consider aligning proposals with state priorities on reducing absenteeism through arts engagement.
- This development signals a procurement environment favorable to innovative arts education solutions that demonstrate measurable impacts on student outcomes.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA)
- Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

### Key Quotes
> These findings suggest that consistent access to arts education may play an important role in helping students stay engaged in school, particularly for students and communities most impacted by chronic absenteeism.
> — Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner of Education

> Rhode Island continues to be a leader in reducing chronic absenteeism, and this latest study shows the important role arts education can play in that effort.
> — Dan McKee, Governor

### Sources
- [RI.gov: Rhode Island Government](https://www.ri.gov/press/view/51431) - RI