Office of Education Strategy

A Message from Mayor Rivera

“My heart aches for the challenges our students face, but I stand ready to accept responsibility for fighting for their future. I believe in the potential of Central Falls because our students, teachers, and families are talented, determined, and capable. Every child here deserves an education that opens doors, preparing them to stand alongside their suburban peers, and our teachers need the resources to make that vision real. This effort is about ensuring every child in Central Falls has the chance to thrive.” – Mayor Maria Rivera
overview of education outcomes under state control

About the Initiative to Improve Central Falls Public Schools

Mayor Maria Rivera is committed to ensuring every child in Central Falls has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. Our goal is to provide Central Falls residents with a clear understanding of the challenges facing our schools, especially our district schools which have been under state intervention for 33 years, and the steps we are taking to create a brighter future for our students. 

Below, you’ll find key findings from our recent report, “My Heart Is Here,” A Community-Centered System Analysis of the Central Falls School District, and information about the collaborative efforts we are launching to transform our education system.

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Key Findings

The report highlights several critical issues impacting Central Falls School District students and educators:

  • Gaps in Support for Multilingual Learners and Students with Special Needs: Severe shortcomings in resources and tailored programs have left these students, and the teachers who serve them, without adequate support.
  • Over 30 Years of Systemic Failures: Decades of underfunding, state intervention, and governance challenges have created obstacles that continue to impact students, educators, and families.
  • Low Academic Performance: During the 2022-2023 school year, Central Falls ranked last among all Rhode Island districts in standardized testing:
    • Math Proficiency: Only 4% of students were proficient.
    • English Language Arts Proficiency: Only 8% of students were proficient.
    • Science Proficiency: Only 7% of students were proficient.

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Recommendations

The report outlines several critical steps to address the challenges facing Central Falls schools:

  • Transparent Audit of MLL and Special Education Services: Conduct a thorough review of Multilingual Learner (MLL) and special education services to identify gaps, ensure families’ rights are honored, and ensure resources are used effectively to support all students.
  • Accountability for Financial Mismanagement, and Plan for Sustainable Funding: Implement measures to investigate and address any financial mismanagement, ensuring transparency and responsible use of funds in the district. Develop a plan to ensure adequate and fair funding across the schools in Central Falls, with special consideration for the impact of a large and growing charter sector on district resources.
  • Return to Locally Accountable Governance: Transition the district back to local accountability in a manner that aligns with Central Falls’ financial capacity, creating a sustainable, innovative and effective governance model for the future.
  • Community Advisory Board: Establish a Community Advisory Board to lead these reforms, placing teachers, students, and families at the center of the decision-making process to build a shared vision for the district's future.

Next Steps

To build a sustainable path forward, Mayor Rivera and the Central Falls Office of Education Strategy will:

  1. Launch the Community Advisory Board: The board will convene state and local leaders, educators, community members, parents, and students to identify solutions collaboratively.
  2. Conduct a Transparent Audit of MLL and Special Education Services: Conduct an in-depth audit of Multilingual Learner (MLL) and special education services to identify gaps, assess resource allocation, and ensure these programs meet the needs of all students effectively.
  3. Work with Experts: Partner with Dr. Ken Wong from Brown University, as well as other national experts, to explore various governance and funding models and develop research-based strategies for long-term success.
  4. Engage Stakeholders: Hold town hall meetings, focus groups, and information sessions to share the complex findings in accessible ways, ensure all voices are heard, and keep incorporating new voices into the reform efforts.

Timeline of Major Events

  • October 2023: Mayor Rivera launched the comprehensive initiative to address school challenges and introduced the Office of Education Strategy, led by Dr. Sarah Friedman.
  • October 2024: Release of the report, My Heart Is Here,” A Community-Centered System Analysis of the Central Falls School District, highlighting systemic failures in Central Falls Public Schools that have impacted students for over 30 years. 

Stay Informed, Get Involved

Stay informed and make your voice heard in the effort to rebuild our schools by filling out the contact form below. Contact us to receive regular updates about our progress and opportunities to get involved. If you are a teacher, parent, or student in the Central Falls School District, let us know if you would be interested in serving on the Community Advisory Board. 

Together, we can create lasting change for Central Falls students.