Following the announcement this afternoon that Gov. Chafee had allowed to become law a bill that deferred NECAP testing as a graduation requirement, RIDE Commissioner Deborah Gist released the following statement to the media:

Statement on legislation on standardized assessments and graduation decisions
Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner
July 1, 2014

Student readiness for college, careers, and life remains our highest priority, and we will continue working with our school districts to prepare all students for success.

Based on regulations put in place in 2008, we expected students in the Class of 2014 to attain the level of at least partial proficiency or show significant improvement on state assessments in order to be eligible to earn a diploma. As a result, students, families, teachers, and community members stepped up to ensure that our students received additional support to improve their skills, particularly in mathematics. Because of that effort, more than 2,000 students significantly improved their performance in mathematics and at least 95 percent of all high-school seniors met the state-assessment graduation requirement.

Given the change in law, we will continue working with school leaders and teachers to make sure students still receive the support they need to improve their achievement levels and to be ready for success in college and in challenging careers.

During the many public discussions of our Diploma System, every voice raised called for high expectations and extra supports for our students. We all agree on this point. This legislation states that Rhode Island shall use standardized assessments “to promote school improvement and to target remediation programs to individual students and groups of students.” We will remain constant in our commitment to setting high expectations for students and to providing students with the instruction, support, and resources they need to meet these expectations.

–Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

Just a little before 3:30 this afternoon, Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist jumped out of an airplane 10,000 feet over Middletown.

Less than a minute later, she was gliding to a stop amid cheers from more than 80 students, parents, and staff from Blackstone Valley Prep who had come to Newport State airport to see her join their math teacher, Drew Madden, in a "dive into a book" celebrating the students' summer reading success.

Gist had never gone skydiving before, but wanted to do something memorable for the kids at BVP. "They smashed their summer reading goals," Gist told reporters. "I wanted to show them how accomplishing their goals could be celebrated in a special way."

"I'm a math teacher," Madden told harddeadlines, "But I'm doing it to show my dedication to literacy."

The two educators had been attentive students as Skydive Newport owner Marc Tripari delivered a pre-jump briefing, explaining how they would be harnessed to an experienced instructor who would take care of everything. "Just fall out of the airplane," said Tripari.

On the other side of the hangar, technician Joe Church was packing their parachutes -- a bright blue and yellow one for Commissioner Gist, and a red and yellow for Madden. Instructor Nicky Sergi had a few last minute words with Gist, then it was time to climb aboard the Cessna 182 for the ten minute climb up to altitude.

There was a blue sky and light winds, with scattered clouds at 5,000 feet. "Beautiful weather," said Tripani.

Kids, parents, and teachers from BVP craned their necks, watching the sky, until they saw the tiny red and blue chutes appear almost directly overhead. There were some gasps and cheers as both the skydivers did loops and turns above the crowd.

Just a few seconds apart, Madden and Gist skidded to safe landings on the grassy area near the hangar, and the crowd burst into cheers and applause.

The two educators were all smiles as they talked to reporters. "It doesn't really feel like falling," said Gist. "It feels like there's some control to it."

Madden agreed. "It feels like diving into water."

Before the jump, Gist had mused aloud to reporters. "How are we going to top this," she said. "What are we going to do next year?"

More photos up on Flickr.

In her annual "State of Education" address to the Rhode Island General Assembly last night, RI Dept. of Ed Commissioner Deborah Gist surveyed the accomplishments of educators around the state and updated progress on state-wide initiatives.

“Even in these tough economic times, when other states are cutting funding and programs, Rhode Island remains committed to public education,” Gist said in remarks distributed to the media. “People around the country recognize that Rhode Island is leading the way in public education – and we should be proud of that!”

During the address, Gist cited accomplishments from the past year, including significant improvements on the National Assessment for Educational Progress (“The Nation’s Report Card”) and receipt of a $50M Federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant – making Rhode Island one of only six states to receive two Race to the Top awards.

She also highlighted statewide education initiatives, including training more than 4,300 educators in the new, world-class Common Core standards, developing user-friendly data systems to provide better reports for the public and to provide teachers with information about the strengths and needs of their students, and building the Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA) to provide all school leaders and the public with information and guidance on school spending.

Gist emphasized that her highest priority is ensuring that Rhode Island has excellent teachers in every classroom.

“Our teachers are first and foremost professionals. As professionals, teachers need and deserve the latitude and the responsibility to make decisions within their classrooms,” Gist said. “Our goal is to create a climate in every school where teachers can be innovative, creative, and accountable for results.”

Resources:
Full text of Comm. Gist's address (pdf)
Fact sheet on RI schools that are "Leading the Way"(pdf)

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

RI Education Commissioner Deborah Gist released a statement this afternoon on the appointment of departing Portsmouth Supt. Sue Lusi as interim head of the Providence schools.

I commend the Providence School Board on the selection of Susan F. Lusi as the interim superintendent of the Providence Public Schools. From her experiences at the Providence School Department and at the R.I. Department of Education, Dr. Lusi has gained a solid understanding of the challenges we face as we strive to accelerate all schools toward greatness. In her most recent position as Superintendent of Schools in Portsmouth, Dr. Lusi has been a strong advocate for many statewide initiatives, including the development of our strategic plan and our Race to the Top application. We will continue to support the Providence Schools in the search for the next superintendent. In the interim, I look forward to working in partnership with Dr. Lusi to transform education in Providence and to provide a world-class education to all Rhode Island students.
—Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

Today's visit to Portsmouth by RI Dept. of Education Commissioner Deborah Gist has been canceled, according to a note distributed on the district listserv:

Dear Members of the Portsmouth Community:

The forum with Commissioner Deborah Gist that was scheduled for this evening from 6:30 to 8 PM is cancelled. The Commissioner will reschedule her visit to Portsmouth at a time when she is also able to visit schools.

Sincerely,
Susan F. Lusi, Ph.D
Superintendent

RI Dept. of Education Commissioner Deborah Gist will be holding a public session at the Portsmouth Middle School this Thursday, Jan 27, from 6:30-8pm, according to a flyer sent to parents:

Transforming Education in Rhode Island: A Conversation with Commissioner Deborah Gist

Would you like an update on the status of public education in Rhode Island?

Would you like to talk to Commissioner Gist about the schools in your community?

To hear what Rhode Islanders are thinking and share ideas about education, the Commissioner will visit every school district in the state during the 2010-11 school year.

Portsmouth will hold a community forum with the Commissioner on Thursday, 1/27, 6:30 - 8 pm, at the Middle School Little Theater. See you there!

Indeed. See you there.