Tomasso Joins ‘I Pledge’ Campaign to Improve Public Education

As a member of the statewide Race To The Top Steering Committee, Rep. Lisa P. Tomasso (D – Dist. 29, Coventry, West Greenwich) has committed herself to its newest public awareness campaign for the improvement of public education.

Called the “I Pledge” campaign, the six-week stream of advertisements in various forms of media aims to reach across the diverse communities of Rhode Island with one message: We are all responsible for the success of Rhode Island’s students and we all benefit from a great education system. Funded by both the Rhode Island Foundation and the Nellie Mae Foundation, the committee launched the media campaign on Sept. 4.

It’s through this campaign that Representative Tomasso and her fellow committee members hope to reignite a sense of responsibility and commitment among community leaders, business owners and public schools throughout the state to improve the quality of education in Rhode Island.

“Educators need everyone’s support,” Representative Tomasso said. “We have completed the two years of public education transformation that began with the $75 million Race To The Top grant. Now we must continue to sustain the momentum and increase community involvement.”

Parent engagement, she added, is a fervor that no government or board can put a price on. It was her own involvement with Coventry schools that led the state representative to run for office, and she hopes campaigns like this one will inspire other parents to step up in different ways.

“I’m well aware of the importance of this type of campaign to the success of every students and every classroom teacher in Rhode Island,” she said. “The implementation of common core, teacher evaluations and virtual learning modules are not enough on their own. Public education is everyone’s business. But more importantly, it’s our legacy. I encourage everyone to be part of ‘I Pledge’ to further our state’s efforts to reform public schools in Rhode Island. Together we can ensure that every child is prepared to lead a successful and fulfilling life.”

The pledge is not a monetary commitment, but a willingness to support Rhode Island’s children, teachers and public education. To make the pledge, visit www.educationpledgeri.org.

The Race To The Top Steering Committee is composed of a cross-section of public education stakeholders charged with identifying strategies for sustaining momentum, public interest and statewide engagement in Rhode Island public schools.