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 Improving High School Graduation Rates in Rhode Island
Issue Brief Release
The Issue Brief was released at a policy roundtable with educators, service providers, state agencies, advocates, and political and community leaders on Thursday, November 30, 2006. For more information on high school graduation rates, download the Issue Brief.
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The event began with welcoming remarks from the following policymakers:
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 Commissioner Peter McWalters
Rhode Island Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
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 Mayor David N. Cicilline
City of Providence
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 Dr. Donnie Evans, Superintendent
Providence School Department
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The policyround table continued with a presentation of key findings from the Issue Brief and a discussion.
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 Key findings from the Issue Brief were presented by Elaine Farber, Research Analyst at Rhode Island KIDS COUNT
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 Chace Baptista, a youth and Co-Director of Young Voices, began the discussion by reminding everyone of the importance of the presence of caring adults in the life of a youth.
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 Mary Sylvia Harrison, President & CEO of the RI Children's Crusade for Higher Education, spoke about the positive outcomes experienced by youth who receive the support they need to succeed.
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 Monica Teixeira DeSousa, convener of the Education Justice Council and a lawyer at Rhode Island Legal Services, urged policymakers to address the number of disciplinary actions due to attendance related infractions by students.
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The discussion continued with comments from several service providers, state agency representatives, advocates, political and community leaders, including the following people:
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 Valerie Forti, President
The Education Partnership
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 From Left to Right:
Stephen Robinson, Esq.
Law office of Stephen M. Robinson & Associates
James DiPrete, Chair
Rhode Island Board of Regents
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 Hillary Salmons, Director
Providence After-School Alliance
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 From left to right:
Monica Teixeira DeSousa
Kelly Wishart, Director Solutions for Children, Youth and Families Impact Group
United Way of Rhode Island
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 Jametta Alston, Child Advocate
Office of the Child Advocate
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 Dr. Will Van Horne, Director of Data and Strategic Analysis
The Education Partnership
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 Garry Bliss, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs
Mayor's Office, Providence
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