The Providence Student Union will give its first “State of the Student” address on April 30, shortly before Rhode Island State Commissioner Deborah Gist gives her annual State of Education Address to a joint session of the Legislature. The students will present their “positive vision” on what education should be, as opposed to the state’s present sterile and mindless emphasis on high-stakes testing.

The Providence Student Union has emerged in recent weeks as a national exemplar of brilliant, media-worthy civil dissent. Their political theater is amazingly effective.

First, they did a zombie protest in front of the headquarters of the Rhode Island Department of Education; dozens of students covered in catsup marched in front of the building. Then they persuaded 60 accomplished professionals to take a test composed of released items from the NECAP, now a graduation requirement (most would not have received a diploma). Because of their demonstration, the Boston Globe came out against the use of NECAP as a graduation requirement. Like the professionals, nearly half the students are likely to fail the standardized test, which was not designed as a graduation test.

If every city and town had a high school student group as creative and persistent as the Providence Student Union, the corporate reformers’ house of cards would fall down.

MEDIA ADVISORY

April 25, 2013

CONTACT: Hector Perea | Contact@ProvidenceStudentUnion.org | 401-545-1973 (Note: Hector is a Providence high school student. Please wait until after 3:30 to call for more information, as students are not allowed to use their phones during school hours.)

STUDENTS COUNTER ED. COMMISSIONER’S “STATE OF EDUCATION” SPEECH –

OFFER THEIR OWN VISION FOR RI EDUCATION IN “STATE OF THE STUDENT” ADDRESS

What: Immediately preceding Commissioner Gist’s annual State of Education speech, members of the Providence Student Union will hold their own “State of the Student” address. Students from high schools across Providence will describe, from their own on-the-ground experience, the current condition of Rhode Island students, and will present their own proposals for the kinds of educational changes young people actually need to achieve high standards in high school and beyond. Topics include curriculum, teaching and learning, school repairs, assessment and high stakes NECAP testing.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: In front of the RI State House (outside, weather permitting)

This event will have strong visuals. Student participants will be available for interviews.