Education advocates ask state to support after-school programs
PROVIDENCE –– United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) gathered nearly 100 community leaders and educators at the Rhode Island State House on May 24, presenting a unified message in support of increasing access to high-quality out-of-school learning programs for children across the state, and to create a dedicated state funding stream for them.
Dubbed Afterschool Day at the State House and hosted by UWRI’s Afterschool Leadership Circle (ALC), the event also cast support for two pieces of legislation aimed at creating a permanent Out of School Time Commission to increase the state’s number of afterschool and summer learning programs. Senate Bill 2347a by Senator Adam J. Satchell (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick) was passed by the Senate with a vote of 33-0 on May 2, 2018. House Bill 7413a by Representative Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown; Exeter) was vot- ed out of committee on May 23 and UWRI hopes to see its full passage sometime next week.
“Unlike other states, Rhode Island does not have a dedicated state funding stream specific to afterschool and summer learning programs; instead, local programs are run in large part on private donations, including nearly $1.3 million from United Way donors,” said Anthony Maione, president and CEO of UWRI. “Federal funding also supports these programs, but that funding is at risk. And if it’s cut, which has been proposed twice, nearly 6,000 local children could lose their programs.”
As a major focus of its work, UWRI has long been a tireless advocate for the im- portance and value of afterschool and summer learning. The organization’s Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative (HSLI), a collaboration between UWRI, Hasbro, Inc., and a generous community, has been recognized nationally for helping students avoid summer learning loss by remaining engaged in educational opportunities while school is out of session.
Where students are at risk of losing up to two months of math and reading skills when not actively learning during the summer, HSLI participants average gains of 30 percent in math and 22 percent in reading. The effort serves 1,100 Rhode Island children each summer across 14 program sites statewide. However, thousands more would participate if programs were available to them, and 4 in 5 parents say enrolling their children in these programs helps them keep their jobs.
“Out-of-school learning programs provide a tremendous benefit to our children, their families, and our communities; there is no question they make a difference in academic performance,” added Maione. “If we’re going to continue to close the achievement gap and best prepare our children for college and career, we must expand access to afterschool and summer learning opportunities – and that begins with creating a funding stream to support and sustain them.”