Lombardi Says Providence Has to Do More for Minority Students
Monday, August 30, 2010
After a national study found that Rhode Island Latinos rank the lowest in math and reading proficiency, Providence mayoral candidate John Lombardi says city has to do more to help ethnic minorities achieve in schools.
“We must structure our education system for our diverse children by developing solutions that bring all children inside the margin, towards the center,” Lombardi will say in a speech announcing his education policy today, according to prepared remarks obtained by GoLocalProv. “We should base our decisions regarding the education of our children on the need to build a better future – one that restores our wholeness as a Providence transformed.”
Lombardi will outline an 11-point plan for reforming education in Providence, to close the achievement gap between minorities and other students and give more opportunities to underprivileged students.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Closing the Funding Gap
He will focus on ensuring that funding is spread out evenly throughout city schools.
“Walk through each of our public schools and you will find that resource disparities exist within our system,” Lombardi says. “It is unjust to ask students in schools that have poorly trained teachers, limited access to up-to-date materials, unsafe and dirty facilities, and crumbling classrooms to perform at the same level of proficiency in literacy and numeracy as in newer schools with qualified teachers, up-to-date materials, and fully functioning facilities.”
In particular, Lombardi will call for increased investment in pre-kindergarten programs and continuing the professional development of teachers who work with bilingual students who are not in English as a Second Language programs.
Holding Administrators, as Well as Teachers, Accountable
As mayor, he would form a panel of education experts to review the performance of school administrators and make recommendations on how to close the gap between the skills and capabilities they have – and what they should have, according to campaign manager Ramon Martinez.
He also is backing funding for more before- and after-school programs, targeted towards students from broken or low-income families, according to Martinez.
Lombardi will unveil his plan at a press conference at 12:15 p.m. today at the Martin Luther King Elementary School.
Related Articles
- Fiscal Issues Dominate First Televised Mayoral Debate
- Former Mayor Calls Providence Race a ‘Jump Ball’
- Mayoral Candidates Defend Records in Government – Or Lack of One
- Providence Mayoral Candidates Debate Minority Issues
- Providence Mayoral Candidates Tackle Pension Costs
- Providence Mayoral Candidates: How Did They Do in the Debate?
- Democratic Candidates for Mayor Meet in Debate
- Democratic Candidates for Providence Mayor Meet in First Forum
