Tanzi, Fellow Representatives to Host NECAP Forum tomorrow

Narragansett Representative Teresa Tanzi will partner with reps from Warwick and Providence to address community concerns regarding the NECAP assessment.

Posted by Lauren Costa (Editor) in the Narragansett-South Kingstown Patch

Three state legislators, including Representative Teresa Tanzi (D-Narragansett, Wakefield, Peace Dale), will host a forum Monday night to hear and address the concerns of participants regarding the controversial NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program).

Tanzi, along with Representatives Maria Cimini (D-Providence) and Frank Ferri (D-Warwick), will hold the event entitled, “Great Futures for ALL Rhode Island Students: Keeping the Conversation Going” from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30 at Rhode Island College (Alger Hall, Room 110).

The forum comes after much public outcry against the NECAP assessment being used as a high school graduation requirement - a sentiment shared by many parents, students, teachers and school administrators who feel the test may set students who would normally succeed in school up for failure. 

“Please join us for a community discussion of your concerns about using the NECAP as a graduation requirement and how we can work together to build a better future for Rhode Island students,” reads a Facebook page for the event. "Many of you have shared your concerns about this critical issue with us, so we are making it a priority to discuss and address together."

When suggesting in a petition that the RI Board of Education reconsider the graduation requirement decision earlier this month, members of the Providence Student Union pointed out that the NECAP test was "not designed" to be a graduation requirement, and requested a series of public hearings be held to address the concerns. 

On Sept. 9, the Board voted 6-5 against the petition, but a similar discussion forum hosted by RI Dept. of Education (RIDE) staffer Andrea Castaneda, who is in charge of school performance, has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at Warwick City Hall.