Education Strategy News
MEDIA COVERAGE
Boston Globe (Column): Central Falls schools have been under state control for 32 years. Is there an end in sight?
By Dan McGowan | October 4, 2023
Thirty-two years and six governors later, the state is still in charge of Central Falls, and the result has been a school district in worse condition than Providence, the other district that the Rhode Island Department of Education has overseen since 2019. But there’s movement afoot for a shakeup in Central Falls, albeit a tepidly paced one. Read more.
Providence Business News: Central Falls creates new strategy office to analyze, help improve city’s education outcomes
By James Bessette | October 4, 2023
CENTRAL FALLS – Calling it an “all hands on deck” approach, the city created a new office of education strategy to perform a total analysis of the Central Falls School Department in the hopes of improving overall education outcomes within the city. Read more.
Valley Breeze: Central Falls kicks off education strategy with grant, new official
By LuzJennifer Martinez | October 11, 2023
CENTRAL FALLS – The city is taking a collaborative approach like never before to improve school outcomes, say officials, with a new Office of Education Strategy and support from the Rhode Island Foundation to launch a community-based planning effort. Read more.
Poder 1110: Coming together for our schools (interview with Mayor Rivera and Sarah Friedman)
February 9, 2024
Listen now (in Spanish).
Valley Breeze: Friedman outlines work being done on education in Central Falls
By LuzJennifer Martinez | February 14, 2024
CENTRAL FALLS – Newly appointed Chief of Education Sara Friedman went before the City Council Monday to highlight the work that the Office of Education Strategy has been doing so far. Read more.
PRESS RELEASES
Mayor Rivera calls for ‘all hands on deck’ to pave the path forward for Central Falls Schools
CENTRAL FALLS, RI (October 4, 2023) – Mayor Maria Rivera is calling for “all hands on deck” to work together in a way that’s never been done to improve school outcomes in Central Falls – advocating for a collaborative, thoughtful plan forward that keeps students, families, and educators at center.
“We’ve seen historic progress happen when we work together for our students – just look at the state-of-the-art new high school and building upgrades happening throughout Central Falls thanks to the collaboration of RIDE, the General Assembly and State leaders, our School District, and our City. It’s time we go beyond the buildings and focus on outcomes together,” said Mayor Rivera. “As our Governor prioritizes education in Rhode Island as evidenced through his Learn365RI initiative, this builds a two-pronged strategy to focus on education in Central Falls. I’m calling for all hands on deck to help us put together a responsible and collaborative plan that responds to the real needs of our schools, their future, and the role of our city. I’m grateful to our community, school district, and leaders at the local and state levels who agree that this work is too important to wait.”
Spearheading this work is the city’s new Office of Education Strategy, led by new Chief of Education Strategy Dr. Sarah Friedman.
“I am honored to work for the City of Central Falls, in collaboration with the dedicated educators and leaders of the Central Falls School District, to help chart a pathway forward worthy of our amazing children and families. This work will look at the funding and governance structures that have existed over time and impact on the school district,” said Dr. Friedman. “I am starting by listening to every educator in the schools and listening to families so that our work is rooted in the real experiences of the people who live and work in the city. The goal is to support the strengths and successes of the district team, and help remove systemic barriers that have impeded progress over time.”
Dr. Friedman will look at successes and system barriers over time, across years of state intervention. By meeting with every educator in the district, along with families at every school, the teachers’ union, and partners at every level from key leaders to organizations like the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) and the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, she will build a collaborative process while identifying ways the city can directly support the superintendent, teachers, families, and school communities to improve outcomes.
“The collaboration across the City and District leadership has been successful due to our shared commitment to the kids of Central Falls. Our District team looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the Mayor and her team,” said Central Falls Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Downey Toledo.
“The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and its affiliate the Central Falls Teachers Union strongly believes that any efforts to improve educational opportunities for the children of CF can only be successful when there is true collaboration between all of the parties involved,” said Frank Flynn, President, Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals. “That is why we are committed to working with Mayor Riviera’s team, the school administration, parents, and other stakeholders on this important initiative.”
The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $75,000 in seed funding to launch the community-based planning effort through its Educational Success strategic initiative.
“We are supportive of this unique community-driven design process to collaborate around Central Falls Schools through the new Office of Education Strategy," said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation’s president and CEO. "We're pleased to support the Mayor's vision for this effort and look forward to learning more as the community is thoughtfully engaged to successfully support student success.”
What others are saying about this collaborative effort:
Secretary of State Gregg Amore: “As a decades-long teacher with a deep understanding of school funding from my time as a legislator, I know the only way we can succeed in education is by understanding the real needs of a community, and that includes our teachers and the engagement of the teachers’ union. I have known and admired Sarah Friedman's education work for years and believe she has an unmatched ability to listen, understand, and identify what will help move Central Falls Schools forward by bringing all of these parties together. Mayor Rivera is putting her community first by bringing in one of the region's most exceptional education experts, getting everyone to the table, and trying to figure out collaboratively what's best for the schools."
General Treasurer James A. Diossa: “The education system has failed in Central Falls for many decades. Mayor Rivera is a champion for education and understands that students in Central Falls deserve access to a high-quality education. With her ‘all hands on deck’ approach, she is inviting all key stakeholders to the table so that we can expand educational opportunities for every student by modernizing our classrooms, supporting our teachers, and engaging the community. I look forward to supporting her on this effort.”
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi: “From day one, Mayor Rivera has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the families of Central Falls, particularly evidenced through housing. Weeks after taking office, she brought us all to the table to address housing barriers and collaborate to successfully bring more affordable units to the city. I have no doubt that by bringing everyone to the table for education, we’ll see new, creative solutions that support the real needs of Central Falls Schools, keeping the students, families, and hardworking teachers at center.”
Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio: “I have confidence in Mayor Rivera’s vision and dedication to Central Falls Schools – she is always willing to work collaboratively with the school district, families, community, and leaders throughout the state. This very collaboration is bringing in historic upgrades to school buildings throughout the city, including a brand new high school currently underway. This commitment to addressing the education needs of the community and focusing on ways to better support student outcomes is an important next step. I look forward to supporting this effort to inspire stronger schools and a stronger city.”
Sen. Sandra Cano, Senate Education Committee Chair: “Central Falls is my second home, and as the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am eager to support a collaborative effort that puts the needs of the Central Falls School District at the center. Everyone wins when we keep our focus on the outcomes of our students. I am excited to work with Mayor Rivera and the community of Central Falls to strengthen the schools, listen to the educators and families, and help meet the real needs of the community.”
Central Falls City Council President Bob Ferri: “I have watched countless times as Mayor Rivera has convened our community to help solve problems in Central Falls. Now we need someone who can pull the many organizations, leaders, and constituencies together to help improve our public schools. I’m excited to see what the Mayor is able to do along with Dr. Friedman and the Office of Education Strategy. Their work will be well worth the effort.”
Michael DiBiase, President & CEO, RIPEC: “Improving our state’s K-12 system requires greater engagement by all stakeholders, including more involvement by municipal leaders. RIPEC commends Mayor Rivera for prioritizing the improvement of student outcomes in Central Falls, and for recruiting Dr. Friedman, one of our most talented and experienced education leaders, to spearhead this effort. RIPEC looks forward to continuing to support and partner with Mayor Rivera, Dr. Friedman, and their team in this important work.”
Jessica Vega, former Central Falls City Council President and Senior Policy Analyst, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT: “Mayor Rivera has a knack for bringing people with different experience, skills, and perspective to the table to get stuff done. During my time as City Council President, we worked together on many collaborative initiatives to help move the city forward, including overcoming being the hardest-hit municipality by the pandemic. I have no doubt that her new Office of Education Strategy and this community engagement work will add unique capacity to the city and school district to strengthen the system and improve our student outcomes. I'm thrilled to support this unique, collaborative effort."
As this collaborative community engagement process develops through fall 2023 and spring 2024, updates and progress will be shared at www.centralfallsri.gov/education.
