Raimondo Kicks Off School Year By Signing Education Reform Bills

CRANSTON, RI — Rhode Island is starting off the school year with four new education reform bills on the books. On Wednesday, Governor Gina Raimondo ceremonially signed the bills into law at Cranston West High School.

The four laws were introduced as part of a package of education reform bills in both the Rhode Island House and Senate in May.

The first bill calls for a statewide, standardized program of academic standards and curricula, to be outlined by the Commissioner of Education, who will create the curriculum frameworks for math, English-language arts and science and technology. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Hanna Gallo, the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.

"This law ensures that our academic standards set forth the skills, competencies, and knowledge expected of each student. The curriculum will align with those standards, and the frameworks would provide strategies to help meet the diverse needs of our students, closing any gaps that exist," the Cranston senator said.

Under the new law, the commissioner will identify five examples of high-quality curricula and materials in each of the core subjects, which individual districts will choose from and implement. The Department of Education will then provide support to help best implement the new frameworks.

"The goal is to give parents a clear map of what their children will be learning, and have it be consistent statewide," said Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, the chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare. "It’s tremendously important that we bring these three tiers — standards, curriculum and testing — into alignment."

The second law streamlines the process for certifying new principals, creating a fast-track program for highly qualified candidates. Applicants must have at least a decade of experience as an "effective" or "highly effective" teacher, a recommendation from the superintendent of their district, a record of leadership and a master's degree.

The third law calls for better management at the school level, giving more responsibility to principals and school improvement teams as well as requiring more accountability through evaluations, assessments and education review reports that break down how individual schools are doing.

"This law increases the authority and power of those who know their schools best – the principals, teachers and community members who are fully aware of the their school’s needs and how to best meet these needs," said Rep. Gregg Amore, the sponsor of the bill in the House. "I have spoken with numerous school professionals in Rhode Island and in Massachusetts, and they tell me such a change would make a significant difference in their ability to properly cultivate the educational environment in order to best serve our children."

The Senate sponsor, Ryan Pearson, called the new law a "culture change" for Rhode Island schools.

"This legislation will create a greater collaboration among state, district and school officials to develop and implement plans," The Cumberland Democrat said. "It's reform that will focus on the success of individuals by giving greater authority to those who are actually doing the educating at a school and district level."

The fourth and final bill requires licensed elementary school teachers to understand scientific reading instruction, a method of teaching that focuses on how sounds work with letters and words. The approach is based on research into how the brain works while learning written and spoken language.

Angélica Infante-Green, the state's new Education Commissioner, and Cranston Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse were on hand for the ceremonially signing event.