Topic: Families and Communities

Designing For Impact: How Central Falls, RI Used Research to Support Multilingual Learners

Central Falls, Rhode Island, a small, densely populated city where over half of students are multilingual learners, faced persistent language proficiency gaps and limited supports for newcomer students. Partnering with the Rhode Island Department of Education and Harvard’s Proving Ground, the district used an evidence-based, collaborative design process to create See the 3, an extended day program integrating language instruction, social-emotional learning, and identity development. The program combines small-group, culturally responsive teaching with enrichment activities, family engagement, and targeted recruitment for students scoring lowest on the state language assessment. Evaluation results show consistent, measurable gains in language proficiency, alongside qualitative feedback highlighting stronger student confidence, belonging, and community connections. This case offers a model for how districts can translate research into locally tailored, equity-centered programming that delivers both academic and social benefits for multilingual learners.