09-R364

2009 -- S 1055

Enacted 11/09/09

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

SUPPORTING THE FEDERAL "RACE TO THE TOP" GRANT PROGRAM AND URGING THE GOVERNOR AND THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO SUBMIT A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION TO PURSUE THE FOUR REFORMS AS OUTLINED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF

EDUCATION

Introduced By: Senators Gallo, and Connors

Date Introduced: October 28, 2009

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has built a strong foundation for school improvement,

including high-quality educational standards and assessments, a high school graduation system

with multiple measures, promising initial work intervening in underperforming schools, and a

growing charter school community; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is engaged in

creating a system of education in Rhode Island that prepares our students for success in college,

careers and life; and

     WHEREAS, The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has identified Five

Priorities For Transforming Rhode Island Education: Ensure Educator Excellence, Accelerate All

Schools Towards Greatness, Establish World-Class Standards and Assessments, Develop User-

Friendly Data Systems, and Invest Our Resources Wisely; and

     WHEREAS, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has made $4.35 billion for

competitive Race To The Top grants to the states that make progress toward statewide goals; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Department of Education has stated that the Race To The

Top grants will focus on the following four reforms: college and career-ready standards and high

quality assessments for all students; pre-K to higher education data systems; teacher effectiveness

and equitable distribution of effective teachers; and intensive support and effective interventions

for the lowest performing schools; and these reforms align with the Rhode Island priorities; and

     WHEREAS, Race To The Top grants are intended to save and create jobs and to reform

education, drive results for students, increase capacity, accelerate reform, and foster continuous

improvement; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has an opportunity to use federal stimulus funding to be more

innovative and creative in education investments, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

has stated: "States that are simply investing in the status quo will put themselves at a tremendous

competitive disadvantage" in their application for Race To The Top funds; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby supports the Rhode Island application for a federal Race To The Top grant.

The General Assembly urges the Governor and the Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education to submit a competitive application to pursue the four reforms as outlined by the

United States Department of Education and as described above. This application should involve

stakeholder input within Rhode Island and should reflect national and international best practices;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Governor of the State of Rhode

Island and the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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LC03009

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