EDUCATION
By JENNIFER D. JORDAN JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
PROVIDENCE –– October is testing month in Rhode Island’s 300-odd public schools, and the stakes are highest for 10,700 11th graders, many of whom could be at risk for not graduating in 2014 because of extremely low math scores. [Read more…]
‘High stakes’ testing is criticized
“Rhode Island is on the verge of creating a huge and permanent underclass of teenagers based solely on the arbitrary scores of a standardized test….” Steven Brown, the Rhode Island ACLU’s Executive Director. Read more from the Providence Journal Article published on February 24, 2012
Trouble school takes steps towards change
CENTRAL FALLS — Tired hallways have been freshened with paint and artwork.
Teachers are coming to school more regularly. Discipline problems have plummeted while the number of Advanced Placement courses has doubled. This year, Central Falls High School — one of the most scrutinized and maligned schools in the country — is a different place. “This year is way better. You can just tell,” says sophomore Christina Munoz, 16. “There were a lot of fights and a lot of disrespect last year. This year, it’s more friendly and welcoming. “I’ve learned a lot more this year.”
Sunday Providence Journal – Providence, R.I. [Read more…]
Young Voices and Mayor Diossa
About a dozen students from “Young Voices,” a student organization at Central Falls High School, attended the hearing to show their support for clean government. Several of them addressed the audience and said that they want the city to be a place where they can say they are proud to come from. [Read more…]
Student Driven Research at Central Falls High School
With the support of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, we have provided weekly leadership training to students at Central Falls High School. The students have met regularly with school administration. They also surveyed the whole student body to get their input on their school’s Reform Plan, and used this data to create an Action Plan to improve their school. This Action Plan will be the basis of student organizing at the school for the next two years.
A year-end assessment of Central Falls High’s ‘transformation’
CENTRAL FALLS –– It’s not easy being a litmus test for the nation.
The first struggling school in Rhode Island — and one of the first in the United States — to try to fix itself under new federal guidelines, Central Falls High School finished year one of transformation when its doors closed for the summer on Thursday.
Spring 2011: Youth make change across the State
Read our Spring 2011 Update here!
It’s been an incredibly productive Spring at Young Voices. Youth have testified at State House hearings, partnered in the redesign of their schools, conducted extensive research and have met with school and statewide leaders. We’ve also had 30 new youth join Young Voices, which now operates at four sites across the state! Read more in our Spring 2011 Update.
May 2011: Our youth meet with the Governor to present Education Policy Plan for RI
Click here to read more in our latest E-Newsletter!
Includes the student driven document, A Vision for Education Reform for the State of RI.
Amber Johnson Speaks at Board of Regents hearing in October 2009
Students state case for input on R.I. teacher evaluations
PROVIDENCE — We stand before you as part of a movement, 16-year-old Amanda Pereira said: A movement to demand effective teachers, to make sure that student voices are heard and to hold teachers accountable for their actions.