RI Foundation says “stay the course” on education reform

Short on substance, but big on financial support, the RI Foundation released their report, “Chart a Course, Stay  the Course” – Rhode Island’s Path to a World Class Education System.

The Rhode Island Foundation today announced that it is committing $1 million – above and beyond the Foundation’s annual grantmaking in education – to support improvements to the state’s pre-K to 12th grade public education system.

Some excerpts from the report:

The importance of consistency –

Over time – and with sustained commitment to an enduring vision and long-term plan that transcends election cycles, overcomes special interest inertia, and is guarded and guided by doing what is right for Rhode Islanders – our public education system can be even better.

The decade ahead –

Since the fall of 2018 our focus has been to take the long view – crafting a vision, priorities, and strategies for pre-K to 12th grade public education in Rhode Island, and keeping in mind what the system will provide for students in 10 years’ time

Conclusion –

There is more to do, much more – and we cannot allow this ‘moment in time’ to slip by. The outrage, the excitement, the concern, the motivation, the hard work and the commitment all must be maintained. This is not a challenge just for the education community to address, but an opportunity to coordinate across the ecosystem of services for children in the state to provide holistic supports including the health, housing, and economic sectors. Throughout the state, we must continue to expect and demand better for students with a focus on equity.

In ten years’ time, we envision all students in Rhode Island will have access to a world-class public education system that is rooted in rigorous standards, with aligned curriculum and instruction; invests in the recruitment, preparation, and retention of a diverse network of teachers; creates meaningful and sustainable funding mechanisms; and is governed by clear roles and responsibilities, with accountably measures clearly articulated. We must stay focused on these high standards to close achievement and opportunity gaps, and stay the course that has been outlined in these pages. We urge all Rhode Islanders to join us in charting a new course in creating a world class public education system. Let’s be ambitious, bold, and demand more for all our students in every community throughout our state. We will continue to do our part to ensure that our state’s students, families, and educators are supported and prepared for the future – with fidelity to, and guided by, the vision, priorities, and strategies you see here.

Link to report –

https://assets.rifoundation.org/documents/Education_report.pdf