Rhode Island

Providence

Providence Public Schools will use stimulus funds to supplement the district’s efforts to build a systemwide curriculum, including textbooks and other instructional tools. The district has an active community partnership and has met with parents and other groups to explore the best use of the funds. The district’s Office of Teaching and Learning is driving the process. For example, the district is considering using some of the funds to acquire “smart boards” and other classroom technology. Meanwhile, the threat of the looming funding cliff means that the district will not use ARRA funding to hire additional staff or to increase the pay and benefit packages of current staff.

Federal stimulus money will strengthen the most important instructional initiative of the district: developing high-quality core curricula and investing in instructional materials in English language arts, math, science, and social studies. Providence Public Schools has already developed a preliminary plan towards these ends that is focused on student outcomes, strategically aligned with district goals, and designed to yield long-term gains.

The district anticipates using approximately 65 percent of the Title I stimulus funding to achieve key outcomes in math and science. These outcomes include completing the K-12 curriculum and fully training the math and science teachers in the new curriculum and in the use of the instructional materials, including new Full Option Science System (FOSS) science kits. In this initiative, parents would also be educated on the new curriculum being introduced to the students.

The remaining 35 percent of the Title I stimulus money will be allocated to programs that support English language arts and social studies. This funding would enable the district to begin to develop the K-12 curriculum framework and to invest in instructional materials. The funding would also be used for intensive supports for struggling readers, as well as for teacher training in reading and social studies and the development and implementation of Advanced Placement courses in all district high schools.

Within each of the four content areas, Providence Public Schools is focusing on investments in instructional materials and technology, professional development, curriculum development, and parental information and outreach materials. The district will use all of the stimulus dollars to support students, teachers, and parents with an unwavering focus on the needs of kids. Nearly half of the funding is currently slated for instructional materials that will be placed directly in the hands of Providence Public Schools’ students.

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