WEEK IN REVIEW

Week of April 28 - May 4, 2008

April 28
GOVERNOR CARCIERI HOSTS NGA WORKSHOP ON EDUCATION REFORM
Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Rhode Island educational officials hosted the final meeting of the National Governor’s Association Honors State grant recipients in a two-day session in Providence.

In July 2005, Rhode Island was one of ten states to receive a competitive grant under the NGA Center for Best Practices' High School Honor States Initiative. That is a governor-led program to help states implement targeted high school reforms that can improve high school graduation and college-and work-readiness rates. Each of those states is represented at this conference.

“I have made it a priority to improve education in our state,” Governor Carcieri said. “When the NGA awarded Rhode Island a one million dollar grant, it enabled us to implement systemic high school reform, including raising academic standards, improving student performance in math and science and better aligning high school graduation requirements to make sure our students are ready for college and the workplace.”

Governor Carcieri established a Pre-Kindergarten through 16 (college) council which benefited from the NGA grant. This council includes not only state leaders for education from elementary school through high school and higher education, but business and workforce development leaders as well.

The state is also launching a website to enable students and parents to learn more about the new high school diploma requirements. This site will also provide information about what schools are doing to meet them.

“Through this NGA grant, we have also launched our Physics First initiative,” Governor Carcieri added. “In six pilot schools last year, all freshmen took a “Foundations for Physics” course. These same students are taking green chemistry as sophomores. And we have a whole new group of freshmen taking Physics this year at these six high schools.”

In another initiative furthered by the NGA grant, there is currently a pilot program on dual enrollment at Mount Pleasant High School in Providence. Twenty-two students from this school had the opportunity to earn 15 credits at Rhode Island College for free during their senior year. The state is now developing a statewide protocol for high school students to obtain college credits and anticipates expanding dual enrollment programs.

"Rhode Island has exceeded our expectations with this initiative by aggressively raising expectations for all high school students and putting in place a number of critical supports," said Dane Linn, director of the NGA Center's Education Division. "The new diploma system challenges students to learn to a higher standard. At the same time, new approaches to teaching math and science as well as tremendous partnerships with higher education institutions now offer students new opportunities to meet these expectations.”

Governor Carcieri has invested his time and efforts in improving education in many ways. In addition to championing the establishment of statewide graduation requirements, and backing a more rigorous curriculum, he is very active in national education efforts. He is the Chair of the NGA’s Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee, Co-Chair of the NGA Center for Best Practices with Governor Kaine from Virginia, on the Board of ACHIEVE, and he is a member of the Carnegie Commission for Math and Science Education.

April 30
NEW TIERED HEALTH CARE PRICING BY UNITEDHEALTHCARE OFFERS SAVINGS TO STATE, TOWNS & CITIES
As State and municipal governments face significant budgetary challenges, Governor Donald L. Carcieri applauds UnitedHealthcare’s proposal for a new tiered pricing model that offers lower health insurance rates.

When the state last went out to bid for a vendor for its employee and retiree health insurance, Governor Carcieri requested that the State's health care vendor offer to municipalities the same low administrative fees for which the state bargained. UnitedHealthcare won the State contract and agreed to this request. Since then, however, no city or town has taken advantage of this opportunity. As the budget crisis deepens, the State has continued looking for innovative solutions.

By approaching the Rhode Island municipal market holistically, UnitedHealthcare, through its bid on April 28th for the City of Providence, has created a new pricing model that provides significant additional savings over the current pricing to the State. The tiered pricing model offers substantial cost savings to local communities and the State.

Currently, based on the employee and retiree populations, the State’s rate falls within the first of the five tiers. If the City of Providence and Providence Schools move to UnitedHealthcare, approximately $500,000 in savings would be generated for the State of Rhode Island, along with the additional savings the City would realize. If the City of Warwick, Warwick Schools, City of Cranston and Cranston Schools moved to UnitedHealthcare, all the groups would move into the third tier of the arrangement, generating even more savings for taxpayers in these cities and all of Rhode Island.

"When we put the State health insurance contract out to bid, we asked that the winning company agree to allow Rhode Island cities and towns to take advantage of the lower administrative rates the state was able to command," Governor Carcieri said. "I wanted local communities to benefit directly from the State's bargaining power. Unfortunately, a number of cities and towns have passed on this opportunity to save money for their taxpayers."

"This pricing is beneficial to local property taxpayers,” the Governor continued. "As more communities join with the State, UnitedHealthcare will provide lower rates to all of us. As everyone struggles to resolve state and local budget concerns, this is an opportunity that no one should pass up, unless they can get a lower rate elsewhere."

“We have been working to find ways to help with state and municipal budget issues,” said Stephen J. Farrell, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New England. “By combining the buying power of the State and the cities and towns, and using the creativity of our organization, we feel we have an innovative proposal on the table.”

May 1
RHODE ISLAND INDEPENDENCE DAY - CELEBRATION OF MILITARY HERITAGE
Governor Donald L. Carcieri invited all Rhode Islanders to a celebration of Rhode Island Independence and its rich military heritage at Camp Fogarty* in East Greenwich on Saturday, May 3, 2008. All units of the Rhode Island Militia: the Gloucester Light Infantry, The Artillery Company of Newport, Kentish Guards, Pawtuxet Rangers, Bristol Train of Artillery, United Train of Artillery, Varnum Continentals, Warren Federal Blues, 14th RI Heavy Artillery and 1st RI Light Artillery; gathered on that day for their annual review in honor of Rhode Island’s independence. The public was invited from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to observe and interact with the regiments as they perform historical drills, routines, fife and drum musical selections and participate in an authentic encampment. Families were invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the festivities of the day at no cost.

The Rhode Island Independence Day program began at 11:00 am, featuring the Governor’s formal review of the militias along with Adjutant General Robert T. Bray of the Rhode Island National Guard. The event included recognition of the winner of the student essay contest: “The Historic Significance of Rhode Island Independence Day: Through the Eyes of Colonial Youth.”

Middle school students throughout the state were invited to participate in an essay contest designed to help them learn about the significance of Rhode Island Independence Day, and to contribute to a statewide celebration of that historic day.  Students were asked to take on the persona of a youth living in the year 1776, write a letter to a friend or family member describing daily activities and their surroundings, telling some of the historical events leading up to Rhode Island declaring its independence, and how they participated in or observed those events. Students noted some of the important local historic figures of that time, and described what the youth of 1776 might think Rhode Island Independence Day would mean for their future.

Immediately following the speaking program at noon, the Guards of Thunder, along with a cannon volley by the militias, fired a battery salute in honor of Rhode Island’s independence.

The State of Rhode Island annually celebrates the declaration of sovereignty from Great Britain, which occurred on May 4, 1776. This year, the event was held in conjunction with Military Heritage Day in remembrance of the soldiers who made Rhode Island’s independence possible.

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