2015 -- H 5551

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LC001656

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FOR THE JASON STEM LEARNING

INITIATIVE

     Introduced By: Representative Patricia A. Serpa

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, The JASON Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by

University of Rhode Island Professor Robert D. Ballard in 1989; and

     WHEREAS, The Sea Research Foundation is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

which has implemented JASON and related STEM programs under the JASON initiative; and

     WHEREAS, These STEM initiatives are designed to help teachers develop their 21st

century teaching skills while learning to use JASON and other STEM curricula with their

students. Currently, the Jason initiative serves more than 1000 students and teachers across the

state with its after-school initiative, known as Immersion Learning, and has established a panoply

of educational goals and strategies to engage students in the areas of science, technology, and

literacy, as well as help teachers to motivate students, integrate technology into lesson plans, and

more effectively manage their classrooms; and

     WHEREAS, The Jason initiative and other STEM programs provided by Sea Research

Foundation focuses on low- and moderate-income level students, as determined by Title 1

eligibility, and specifically addresses the achievement gap among low- and moderate-income

students in Title 1 communities; and

     WHEREAS Working in collaboration, The JASON Project, colleges and universities in

Rhode Island, the Sea Research Foundation, the Feinstein Foundation, businesses, school districts

and community organizations, the Jason STEM initiative seeks to continue to support previous

school district efforts to fully integrate Jason and other Sea Research Foundation STEM programs

into their district-wide curricula and will expand implementation of the internationally recognized

STEM program in the school districts of Central Falls, Chariho, Cranston, Kingston, Newport,

Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield, Warwick, West Warwick, and Westerly; and

     WHEREAS, In order to continue the expansion and implementation of exemplary STEM

programs, the Jason initiative is requesting $500,000; and

     WHEREAS, The STEM Programs will build upon the work that has been done in

bringing the JASON Project and other STEM resources to individual districts and will provide

customized STEM and career oriented modules to assist Rhode Island teachers in implementing

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is transitioning for full implementation of NGSS within 4-5

years, and Districts are in need of resources, programs and curricula including JASON, that can

support those efforts; and

     WHEREAS, The Sea Research Foundation is dedicated to supporting this transition by

working closely with educators to provide engaging programming including new JASON and

other STEM programs that promote the science and engineering practices, cross cutting concepts,

and disciplinary core ideas of NGSS; and

     WHEREAS, Operating in all 50 states, the JASON Project and Immersion Learning

make a real difference for participating youth and have had a significant impact on closing the

achievement gap for many students; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2015-2016, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars

($500,000) for the Jason initiative to implement activities outlined within this resolution; and the

state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for

the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt

by him of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FOR THE JASON STEM LEARNING

INITIATIVE

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 for the JASON

Project and STEM programs and resources.

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