The U.S. Department of Education has released the Puerto Rico Educational Transformation Guide, outlining recommendations for local leaders to continue implementing educational decentralization on the island. The guide is addressed to Governor-elect González Colón and includes key actions essential for successfully continuing the decentralization efforts. These actions aim to support Puerto Rico's goal of launching its first autonomous Local Education Agency (LEA) by July 2025.
"This historic transformation of the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DEPR) will catalyze change and create a system that empowers school communities, makes better use of valuable federal and local resources, increases accountability and trust, and most importantly, improves opportunities and outcomes for students. As this transformation progresses, unprecedented federal support will continue alongside highly skilled leaders in Puerto Rico," Secretary Cardona wrote in the guide.
Puerto Rico ranks as the seventh-largest school district in the United States and has been undergoing an educational system transformation with support from the Department. Following natural disasters and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Puerto Rico's current unitary education system has struggled with persistent challenges that hinder its ability to provide high-quality education to students.
Since committing to decentralizing its educational system in May 2023, significant progress has been made. This guide builds on achievements since that announcement, highlights recent implementation successes, and urges leaders in Puerto Rico to continue advancing this work.
