School System Reform Plan Revealed

Matthew Kazas

Recently a plan to reform the Rhode Island school system was unveiled by state education officials. The hope of this reform is to increase student proficiency, revamp failing schools, improve teacher quality and shrink gaps between low-income and middle-income students.

State Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist and her staff have been working on the 20-page draft of the reform plan for four months. The draft contains how Gist plans on improving this school system over the next three to five years.

The Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education on reviewed the draft on Thursday; they are expected to endorse it at a Dec. 3 meeting.

"We need to keep our eyes wide open and be flexible," she said. "In many ways, it represents not just the work that’s happened since I’ve been here, but also the work that’s gone on for several years. We are getting a little more ambitious and emphasizing … the sense of urgency we have about this work."

Gist also said that the plan is a "living document," and will be updated or modified as they progress, and as education officials gather more information.

The plan will consist of several large changes to the school system, including increasing the state’s high school graduation rate from 70% to 80% by 2012, and to 85% by 2015. It also relies on making it harder to become or continue working as a teacher in Rhode Island, and paying the best teachers more, based on data that shows that have improved student performance.

Other changes that should take place are the reduction of achievement gaps by 50% among low-income and minority students, the expansion of online courses and the development of a statewide virtual high school. Transforming failing schools, particularly in low-performing urban districts, and developing data systems that help teachers improve their instruction are also on the long list of changes.

"This is our plan, regardless of whether additional resources come into play," she said. "We are confident we are organizing our staff and redirecting the resources we already have to these priorities."

Sources: www.projo.com

www.ride.ri.gov