Deborah Gist makes her "State of Education" speech on Tuesday. Screen grab from Capitol TV.
By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist delivered her “State of Education” address Tuesday afternoon before a joint session of the House and Senate.
Gist spent a lot of time discussing the future in her speech, looking ahead at the impacts of the Race to the Top programs, the expansion of full-day kindergarten and how to better grow programs centered on blended learning and technology.
“In our state, we have the capacity, the policies, and the public support we need to make our schools America’s best – and among the best in the world,” said Gist. “Our global competitiveness will depend on innovations, including digital learning, as well as the growth of efforts such as early-childhood education and world-language programs. It will also depend on our ability to educate our students well in core academic areas. “
Gist said the state's public education system still has a “long way to go.” She referenced NECAP proficiency scores: 72 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 are proficient in reading, and 61 percent in math.
“These results are not good enough, although the long-term trend remains positive,” she said. “Since NECAP testing began in 2005, proficiency levels are up 13 points in reading and up 11 points in mathematics. “
She also mentioned the NECAP scores among high schoolers, saying an “alarming” 40 percent of the current junior class scored “substantially below proficient” in math. She said she is confident these students will show improvement on their scores come the fall.
“No doubt: Many students, parents, and community members are concerned about the large number of students who must improve their skills in mathematics,” she said. “I hear these concerns, and I share them – but not as a call to retreat, back off, or slow down. I hear these concerns as a call to action.”
Gist said 2,600 students have enrolled in a free online course to improve their math scores. She hopes 3,000 will have signed up by year’s end. She said parents are stepping up, too, asking how they can help their student’s performance.
“The parents who reach out to us don’t want an education system that’s centered on “teaching to the test” – no one does. Yet most parents understand that it’s not about the test. It’s about math, it’s about reading and writing, it’s about science, and it’s also about the arts, technology, history, civics, modern and ancient languages, career-and-technical education, and the other rich opportunities our schools provide our students,” said Gist.
Gist said for “far too long,” the expectations for students have been too low, especially for students of color and economically disadvantaged students.
“We have passed students on toward graduation without preparing them for success,” she said. “Together, we must stand up for these students!”
Throughout her speech, Gist lauded schools, individual students, educators and parents for their achievements and hard work. You can read her speech in its entirety here.
Prior to Gist’s formal address, the outspoken members of the Providence Student Union gathered at the State House to give their “State of the Student” address. In their remarks, students called for more creative teaching methods, broader curriculum and better school facilities. You can read their bullet points here and here.
