SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

 

CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND

 

The School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program SVPDP has developed a program to meet the unique needs of Central Falls.  Central Falls is the smallest city in Rhode Island.  Its area is 1.29 square miles with a population of 19,000 which makes it one of the most densely populated areas in the United States.

 

Central Falls School District is the only Rhode Island school district to be controlled by the State of Rhode Islandthrough the Rhode Island Department of Education.  Although the reasons are many and varied, Central Fallsstands alone in this matter.

 

As a district, the statistics can be best characterized as a school district with a multitude of issues.  Among them are:

 

·         78% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch

·         68% of students are Hispanic

·         14% of students are African American

·         18% of students are Caucasian

·         24% of students are enrolled in ESL programs (RI does not support Bilingual Programs)

·         Student mobility rate is 31% as compared with the State average of 19%

·         Student dropout rate is 26% as compared with the State average of 15%

 

Central Falls Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frances Gallo, requested SVPDP to provide guidance to aligning its Grade 4, 5 and 8 Social Studies curricula to both the New England Common Assessment Project (NECAP)literacy standards and the Rhode Island government and Civics/Historical Perspective standards by using SVPDP materials.  Please note that the standards are posted on the www.civiced-ri website.

 

In 2008/09, SVPDP trained all Grade 4 teachers.  In this year, all Grade 5 teachers and Grade 8 Social Studies teachers are engaged in the program.  All training is part of a Central Falls plan for SVPDP to provide professional development while the school district will provide the support and energy to translate training into curriculum development.

 

PROGRAM’S IMPACT

 

September 2009 – June 2010

September 2008 – June 2010

Total

Schools

4

5

  5*

Students

498

300

798

Teachers

17

15

   31**

*This number reflects the total number of schools engaged in the program

**This number reflects one teacher transferred to another grade and is being trained to different material

 

For further information contact:

Michael Trofi, Site Coordinator, mtrofi@westwarwickpublicschools.com

Maria Gallo, Director, School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program, gallo@civiced.org