RHODE ISLAND LAUNCHES COLLEGE READY NEW ENGLAND INITIATIVE

06-16-2006

Governor Carcieri’s Math And Science Initiatives, Professional Development Programs for Teachers, and New High School Diploma System Will Increase Student Readiness

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today joined state education and business leaders to launch the College Ready New England initiative in Rhode Island. With today’s announcement, Rhode Island becomes the fourth state in New England to become a part of this regional effort to develop strategies to expand college participation and success for students.

College Ready New England, an initiative of the New England Board of Higher Education, is a regional alliance of key government, business and academic leaders who have committed to the goals of increasing the number of high school graduates and GED recipients who are academically prepared for college or career success, increasing the number of learners who enroll in college, and increasing the number of college graduates.

Governor Carcieri endorsed the College Ready New England goals, and said they are aligned with a number of key education initiatives that he has undertaken to better prepare Rhode Island students for academic and career success.

“Education reform has been one of my top priorities,” Governor Carcieri said. “Our students must be better prepared to succeed in college and in the workforce. College Ready New England will play an important role in assisting our state and our region in meeting those challenges.”

“We are already taking a number of steps to ensure that our students are prepared for success,” the Governor said. “We have created a statewide curriculum in Math and English Language Arts and I have a proposed a similar program for the Science curriculum. I have also instructed the Board of Regents to increase the number of science credits necessary for graduation, develop a system that will bring in qualified math and science professionals as adjunct teachers on a part-time basis, and create an alternative certification system so those in private industry can use their expertise in the classroom.”

To increase the number of students who take upper-level science courses, a pilot program called Physics First has been proposed at five Rhode Island high schools this fall. The program, announced by Governor Carcieri in January, reorders the traditional science curriculum by offering physics in the ninth grade. Governor Carcieri proposed $425,000 in his FY 2007 budget to supplement a $250,000 National Governors Association grant that is helping to fund the pilot program over a two-year period.

The budget passed by the House Finance Committee this week cut the funding for Physics First as well as the $850,000 that the Governor had proposed for professional development activities for math and science teachers.

Governor Carcieri also noted that the Rhode Island High School Diploma System, which takes effect beginning with the Class of 2008, requires students to demonstrate proficiency in six core areas and create a portfolio or special project in order to receive a diploma.

“This is a more rigorous diploma system that better reflects the skills that our students will need to compete in a global economy,” Carcieri said.

At today’s launch, officials from the New England Board of Higher Education said they would be working with the states to assist them in developing strategies to meet the College Ready New England goals. They praised the New England Governors for recognizing the importance of better preparing students for the world beyond high school and for their commitment to ensure that everyone has a well-rounded and rigorous education.

College Ready New England is led by the New England Board of Higher Education and partners with the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the College Board, The Education Resources Institute, the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority, and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation.