Rhode Island Association of School Principals

Legislative Agenda

Life in schools today is shaped as much by lawmakers as by educators. As a result, it is incumbent upon principals to become politically involved. Without more input into the political and legislative processes, principals can only accept and work under political realities that have been created by others. Too often these people have their own agenda and know less about what is good for schools than do principals.

Understanding this reality, both the NAESP and NASSP have actively lobbied Congress on behalf of their members. Currently, national efforts are focused on several issues: full funding for IDEA, a reduction in paperwork related to special education, more federal funding for principal professional development, and a strong opposition to any of the proposed voucher plans. NAESP and NASSP have also worked hard on the re-authorization of “No Child Left Behind” to improve the original legislation by retaining its strengths (school accountability and a commitment to serve the best interests of all of America’s children) and eliminating its weaknesses (use of high-stakes testing, narrowing of the curriculum, unfunded mandates that diminish state and local resources, unrealistic goals and the belief that schools could be improved through a punitive approach – to name but a few). For more information on the political and legislative agendas of NAESP and NASSP, consult their websites at www.naesp.org and www.nassp.org

The Rhode Island Association of School Principals has worked on behalf of the national political agenda as outlined above. Annually, a leadership team from RIASP goes to Capitol Hill in Washington to meet with the Rhode Island delegation. Those face-to-face meetings have enable RIASP to establish a working relationship with each of Rhode Island’s two congressmen and two senators. RIASP is pleased to report that the state’s congressional delegation has been receptive to the RIASP agenda and has been very supportive of principals in general.

At the state level, RIASP has stepped up its efforts to keep principals informed about events at the General Assembly through a weekly “Legislative Update” that is emailed to members each week.  In addition, RIASP presents “the principals’ perspective” whenever key issues are debated in the legislature or in the media. In the newspapers and on the talk shows, RIASP has repeatedly stepped forward to inform public discussions about student achievement, school rankings, student discipline, and racial bias, among other issues.

Principals are encouraged to give feedback to RIASP about the issues that are important to them. You may contact either of the two legislative liaisons on the Board of Directors – Susan Chin, Principal of Veasie Street Elementary School in Providence, and John Haidemenos, Principal of Jacqueline M. Walsh High School in Pawtucket – or Patricia Hines at the RIASP office.