"Governor, be assured, we are on the bus," says James DiPrete, chairman of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education.

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, March 15, 2006

BY JENNIFER D. JORDAN
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Governor Carcieri outlined four of his education priorities to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education yesterday, receiving their support and cementing an already strong relationship between state education leaders and the Republican governor who once taught math.

Carcieri has launched an ambitious education agenda this year, including allowing professionals to serve as adjunct math and science teachers, adding a third year of science to high school requirements, adopting a statewide evaluation system for teachers and principals, and making it easier for professionals who want to switch careers to become full-time teachers.

The changes will allow Rhode Island to draw on a rich pool of teaching talent, boost the level of math and science education and ensure high teacher and principal quality, Carcieri said.

"Everywhere I go, everything I read, what everyone is talking about is education, and it is a national conversation," Carcieri said. "There's probably no greater sense of urgency than what is happening in K-12 education, and in getting our youngsters prepared for the challenges of the global economy."

The regents said they shared many of the governor's concerns and were already working on several initiatives. For example, the regents have been developing grade-level expectations in science to strengthen standards and push more districts toward a tougher curriculum, said Colleen Callahan, a member of the board of regents. In addition, the regents have already approved a system to allow adjunct teachers to come into schools to teach a class or two, but have struggled to develop a process to inform retirees and other professionals about the program and teachers how to seek out such candidates, said Karen Forbes, a member of the board of regents. The state is also looking into alternative paths to certification, she said.

"We are studying other states to see how they do that," Forbes said. "Right now, our policies are very restrictive." Carcieri's budget sets aside $75,000 to fund an alternative certification process.

The regents have also started to draft a teacher evaluation process, but must devise a way to train teachers and administrators to use it effectively, Forbes said.

Peter McWalters, Rhode Island's education commissioner and James DiPrete, chairman of the board of regents, thanked Carcieri , saying it is the first time they recall a governor meeting formally with the group.

"Governor, be assured, we are on the bus, we know where we are going, and we know we have your support," DiPrete said.

jjordan@projo.com / (401) 277-7254