To the Editor: Near the conclusion of last week's Educational Visioning Workshop, the consultant asked each participant to write two words describing the future of education in Warwick. The reoccurring workshop themes that stood out to me were
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
|
To the Editor:
Near the conclusion of last week’s Educational Visioning Workshop, the consultant asked each participant to write two words describing the future of education in Warwick. The reoccurring workshop themes that stood out to me were flexibility and equity.
Flexibility – for individualized, 21st century learning and teaching – and flexibility in building design, district policies, operations, and the contractual language to support educational changes. Equity – meaning every student will be given the opportunity to follow their own individualized learning path in an environment and with the supports required.
As voters and decision-makers, evaluating a generational investment in our community’s future, we must have confidence that final plans have the support and demonstrated commitment from all stakeholders to make the required changes to maximize the benefits of building investments. This plan is about more than updating infrastructure or building a replacement school. It is about redefining the way we deliver education and the opportunities we provide students across the city. And as our future system of education is defined, we need to ensure all our children will have access to buildings, programs, and educational models that best support their academic interests, learning styles, and goals.
Although the majority of the first workshop participants were from the high schools, all elected leaders and residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming February 12th community educational visioning meeting and the following meeting to present recommendations in March. Education is the foundation of a community and the current facilities planning process is about more than buildings.
It will result in a plan to improve education across the city and invest in our children, our property values, and our future – and it impacts all of us. A very insightful high school student said during the workshop, “This won’t impact me, but I wanted to be here for my children.” We should all follow her lead.
Jennifer Mann
Warwick
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
the only way to improve education is to make each and everyone of the teachers in the city the best paid. not only in the state, or the nation, but the world. once this underworked overpaid leeches are paid the best then the test scores will crawl up from really failing to failing just a bit better.
Thursday, February 6, 2020 Report this
JohnStark
Ms. Mann: Education is, indeed, "...the foundation of a community" And it's now a given that the best educational opportunities are found outside the purview of the Warwick public schools. Hence, I don't need "...two words describing the future of education in Warwick." I can do it in one: Vouchers. You either A) believe in education, real education for Warwick children by freeing them from the shackles of government-run schools, or B) you endorse more of the same but called something different. Its one or the other. And based upon your repeated misuse of the term "investment", we can only assume it's the latter.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Report this
BeaconCommenter
Maybe instead of whining on Facebook and the Beacon comment page, all the concerned citizens should attend the event tonight and have their voice heard?
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Report this
Justanidiot
beaconcommenter, have you attended any of these type meetings. lip service does not begin to describe the uselessness of them. the few citizens that are heard must toe the party line and agree with the school department or be cut off from commenting. the deals are done in a dark backroom.
Thursday, February 13, 2020 Report this