School's in, and for no one is that more true than Gov. Gina M. Raimondo.
In the span of less than two weeks, the governor has:
n Set new goals for 3rd grade reading in the public schools – 75 percent reading at grade level by 2025 compared with one-third today;
n Set new goals for the percentage of Rhode Islanders who have a college degree – 70 percent by 2025 compared with less than 45 percent today;
n Noted the doubling of high school students earning college credit through the Prepare RI program;
n Awarded the first class of Wavemaker Fellowships, designed to help STEM-field college graduates pay down student debt (and keep them in state).
Gov. Raimondo is on the money with her emphasis on education. The jobs of the future require education well beyond high school.
The governor has set the bar high. The question is whether the state's education and political leaders, and citizens will do what is necessary to make these laudable goals reality. •