The May ALN Forum:
Rhode Island Urban Education Task Force - Newport Forum
Held May 13, 2009 3:30-5:30pm at Rogers High School
The May Forum was the first opportunity for the Newport community
to hear the preliminary recommendations of the Task Force and
to offer feedback as the Task Force prepares its final report
to the Gov. in September, 2009.
Dr. Warren Simmons, Executive Director of the Annenberg Institute
for School Reform at Brown University and Chairman of the Urban
Education Task Force presented the Task Force Report. (View
PowerPoint presentation.)
The Task Force was formed as a result of concern over the below
proficient performance of students in Rhode Island's urban areas
(Providence, Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket, Woonsocket).
The charge to the Task Force is to develop specific recommendations
for consideration by the Gov. and the General Assembly to:
" Identify effective state support and intervention strategies
" Strengthen collaboration opportunities among our urban
schools, districts, state agencies and organizations
" Create new community partnerships to support our most
challenged schools
The Task Force recommendations are:
" Expanded Learning Time
" Multiple Pathways to Student Success
" Early Literacy
" Preschool Education
" Cross-System Efficiencies
" Innovation Zone
" Performance Management System
Following Dr. Simmon's report, Superintendent Ambrogi gave examples
of current programs in the Newport Schools that he felt supported
the recommendations of the Task Force. The audience, made up
of school administrators, teachers, School Board members, parents,
community advocates for education, then met in small groups
to discuss the recommendations and offer feedback. The focus
of the feedback was the specific needs in the Newport School
System. Reports from the small group leaders will be used to
form final recommendations, to be presented to the Governor
in September, 2009.
Many of the participants felt that there should be additional
Forums in Newport held during evening or weekend hours to allow
parents, business and community leaders who were not able to
attend this afternoon Forum. Also, the half-hour group time
allotment was insufficient to provide a thorough review and
suggestions.
The forum was jointly sponsored by the Newport
Public Education Foundation, the Alliance for a Livable Newport,
the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
and the Nellie Mae Foundation, with support from the Newport
Public Schools.
For more information, please contact:
Paul Watters at #847-2455 (email: PaulWatters@earthlink.com)
or
Dave Wixted #846-2246 (email: newportwix@yahoo.com)
View
UETF Preliminary Recommendations and Work Groups
View
UETF Recommendations - Full Report
