The headlines screamed “Rhode Island students not meeting standards” and “One fifth of Cranston students not proficient.” That might sell papers but there is so much more going on in Cranston than just these headline grabbers.

We have heard the reports, everyone wants to see results, but no one is really looking.  To see real progress, examine all the numbers, not just one.

We all know what the pandemic did to our students, we also know some are still struggling, I won’t debate that. However, there is real progress happening in Cranston schools. 

Let’s dive in: (note, I am only including a small sample of the results to show examples of the growth that is happening)

Let’s start with:

RICAS ELA (English) - Grades 3-8

• Cranston overall saw an increase in the percentage of students making high growth in ELA (29.40% to 31.70%) while decreasing the percentage of students achieving low growth (34.90% to 32.80%)
• Orchard Farms increased percentage of students making high growth (28.90% to 32.90%)
• Park View decreased the percentage of students in low and typical growth, while increasing high growth (25.40% to 41.10%)

RICAS Math Growth Highlights – Grades 3-8

• Eden Park decreased in low and typical growth areas, while increased high growth (22.60% to 38.30%)
• Edgewood decreased in low growth range (46.10% to 34.20%), while high growth increased (22.50% to 28.90%)
• Gladstone decreased in low growth range (43% to 36.90%) while high growth range increased (27.80% to 36.90%)
• Glen Hills decreased low growth (61.60% to 40.20%) and increased high growth (15.10% to 25.60%)
• Oak Lawn decreased low growth (57.50% to 48.80%), while high growth increased (9.60% to 20.70%)

At the secondary level we saw growth as well, especially at one high school that has received its unfair share of criticism, the Apprenticeship Exploration School (AES)

• In ELA, the AES increased in Typical Growth from 34.30% to 42.90%
• In Math the AES increased in Typical Growth from 40% to 42.90%

We all want our schools to be the best, but achieving excellence doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, collaboration and hard work – from our administrators and teachers to our parents, families and students.

Cranston is on the right path, and we must keep this momentum going!

We’re deep into the marathon of progress, and now it’s up to our state and local leaders to ensure the necessary funding keeps this race going. Investing in education is investing in our future – let’s make sure we give our students every opportunity to succeed!

Domenic F. Fusco Jr. is chairman of the Cranston School Committee.