MATH & SCIENCE INITIATIVES, EFFICIENCIES, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TOP GOVERNOR CARCIERI’S EDUCATION REFORM AGENDA

02-01-2006

Education Reform Package Includes $17.5M in Targeted Investments

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today released a comprehensive education reform agenda that builds on his initiatives over the past three years, addressing math and science curriculum reforms, professional development for teachers and administrators, and improving efficiencies among school districts. The Governor’s plans include $17.5 million in targeted investments to upgrade math and science instruction, and to support teacher preparation and improved student performance.

“This education reform agenda builds upon the momentum that we’ve gained,” said Governor Carcieri, in unveiling a series of legislative and budget items and proposed regulations. “Over the past three years, we’ve invested in programs to enhance teaching and learning, targeted resources for underperforming schools, and created greater accountability in our schools. Today’s proposals will continue the progress we are already making.”

Among Governor Carcieri’s math and science initiatives is a $15 million bond proposal to upgrade the teaching programs at the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College by infusing technology into their classrooms and upgrading classrooms with technology at the Community College of Rhode Island. The funds would also create the Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education at Rhode Island College, and serve as a clearinghouse for math and science education resources. Providing the state’s future teachers with new technologies will better enable them to teach their students in these critical subjects, the Governor said.

“This is an exciting and challenging time in education and in teaching,” Governor Carcieri said. “We must maximize the opportunities before us. We can do that by investing in technology to support teaching and learning. This will bring our teacher programs into the 21st century and equip the next generation of teachers with a strong, high-tech foundation. It will also enable our teachers to better integrate technology into their classrooms.”

To further strengthen math and science education, Governor Carcieri announced that he will be submitting legislation to create a statewide science curriculum to be developed by the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. To bring experienced math and science teachers into the schools, the Governor said he would direct the Board of Regents to create a process that allows math and science professionals to teach a limited number of math and science courses as adjunct faculty. He also proposed a pilot project to create alternative certification for teachers. All three of these proposals were recommendations contained in the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Math & Science Education released last year.

Governor Carcieri also announced that he was including funding in the FY 2007 budget for the Physics First program ($525,000), Project Inner Space ($240,000) and professional development activities in math and science ($750,000).

Governor Carcieri also announced funding in his budget ($150,000) for a pilot program to extend the school day in urban districts to 5 p.m. with afternoon sessions designed to provide students with enrichment opportunities and additional support in core academics. The Governor’s proposal to create a metropolitan school district that is designed to improve student performance and achieve cost efficiencies will be addressed by a study commission made up of representatives from each of the three communities – Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence. Leaders in each community will be asked to select the representatives for this commission.

To continue his goal of improving efficiencies in government, Governor Carcieri announced legislation in several key areas. He said that he will submit legislation to establish the Rhode Island Strategic Purchasing Advisory Commission, which will encourage collaboration between the state, school districts, and municipalities in such areas as health insurance, purchasing, and energy costs. He will also submit legislation to encourage competition among health insurers when bidding for municipal contracts and to establish a statewide transportation system for special needs students designed to decrease ride times for students and costs for the school districts.

To further his goal towards greater accountability, Governor Carcieri said that he would ask the Board of Regents to adopt statewide teacher evaluation standards. The school year for teachers and administrators would be extended to 190 days for the purpose of additional professional development, planning time, and training under legislation submitted by the Governor.

Governor Carcieri is also seeking, through legislation that he plans to submit, to lift the moratorium on charter schools in those districts with more than 9,000 students. There are currently 11 charter schools in the state. To further choice for students and parents, the Governor is asking for a tax credit for businesses that donate funds toward educational scholarships.

As part of Governor Carcieri’s efforts to make Rhode Island the first “well state” in the nation, he will be submitting legislation to ban the sale of soda, beverages with added sweeteners, and high-sugar and high-fat snacks from schools. An exception would be allowed for student fundraising activities that are held after school or off school premises.

Recognizing that attracting good jobs to Rhode Island means producing high-performing graduates from its schools, Governor Carcieri has invested in teachers and students, created rigorous standards for achievement, and targeted resources for schools that are underperforming.

Governor Carcieri also announced that he had asked Jim DiPrete, the Chairman of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, to hold a special meeting of the Board to take up several of his recommendations.

Governor Carcieri’s record on education:

• The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Math and Science Education, chaired by Governor Carcieri, released its report in September. It is an action plan that lays out a series of steps to make the practical application of math and science a more integral part of a student’s education. Several of these steps are included in the Governor’s 2006 Education Agenda.

• In October, Governor Carcieri unveiled an innovative, computer-based program to enhance student learning of algebra at Central Falls Senior High School. The I CAN Learn program engages students in algebra through real-world applications that are delivered via multi-media presentations.

• Governor Carcieri began the funding for three math specialists in 2005 and two science specialists in 2006 to enhance the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s capacity to support improved student results.

• The RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is developing a statewide curriculum in English Language Arts and Math that will be completed in August 2006.

• Governor Carcieri advocated for the expanded school day and increased professional development for teachers. By the 2006-07 school year, all public schools will have 5.5 hours daily of actual instruction time.

• Governor Carcieri increased resources for secondary schools in Intervention Status. Funding to improve the learning environment at these schools has increased from $1.1 million in FY 2004 to $2.9 million in FY 2006.

• Governor Carcieri created the PK-16 Council to inform policy on education and ensure every Rhode Island high school graduate is proficient and college and work ready, confident in their academic preparation to pursue their career goals. The Council is comprised of key K-12, higher education, business and workforce development stakeholders.