Providence Launches Education Task Force
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Providence Mayor Angel Taveras convened a special task force on Monday to advance his goals for improving city schools and to help find a new superintendent.
“Ideas hold the most value for our kids when they are fully implemented. We will realize our shared goal for transforming public education in Providence only when all of the stakeholders who develop and deliver educational services are working in coordination,” Taveras said.
“We have made progress in the last few years, but we have a long way to go. I thank the members of this working group for their willingness to serve the community and support our efforts to make Providence’s public schools the best performing in the nation.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGoals of the task force
The task force, which is headed up by Angela Romans, the Mayor’s Senior Education Advisor, is charged with doing the following:
1. Conduct a general analysis relative to the Mayor’s education policy and practice priorities:
a. Synthesize existing research and reports e.g. Urban Education Task Force, PDK Audit, Transition Education Committee report, PPSD strategic focus report, as well as national and international context
b. Interview PPSD officials, Children and Youth Cabinet members, and other major education stakeholders in the City
c. Make determinations about education capacity in Providence, naming gaps and assets to achieve goals
d. Determine the biggest levers at the City level for impact on education outcomes/goals
2. Determine strategies, outcomes, indicators and data (baselines and targets) toward cross-sector implementation of Mayoral goals.
3. Inform the Superintendent Search Committee about the education community’s values, goals, and expectations of a successful candidate for new PPSD Superintendent.
4. Build upon and drive the work of the Children and Youth Cabinet, which Mayor Taveras is officially convening
Who's on it
Other members of the group, which is formally known as the Mayor’s Education Opportunity Working Group, include:
• Warren Simmons, Annenberg Institute
• Kenneth Wong, Education Department at Brown
• Nicole Mathis-Thomas, principal at Nathanael Greene Middle School
• Elizabeth Melendez, Spanish teacher E-Cubed Academy high school
• Lee Keizler, PPSD Parent Advisory Council
• Dawn Clifton, PPSD Parent Advisory Council
• Bill Bryan, Gilbane, Inc.
• Keith Oliveira, Providence School Board
The group is expected to wrap up its work by September.
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