5Q: Ken Wagner

 / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
/ PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1Your predecessor was at odds with the unions over teacher evaluations and standardized testing. What will be different under your tenure?

The only purpose of teacher evaluations is to support teaching and learning, so we have to implement evaluations carefully and listen to feedback from educators. Assessments provide valuable information to families and help us ensure that all children receive a high-quality education. But we all agree that testing must be streamlined and that schools should focus on great instruction, not on test prep.

2What’s the biggest challenge facing the Rhode Island education system?

We need to improve achievement for all students while also closing achievement gaps. To do so, we will have to be smart, flexible and innovative. We have to partner with families. If it’s helping teachers teach and helping students learn, I’m good with it.

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3What are your goals for the coming year?

I look forward to implementing the initiatives that emerged from Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s jobs plan, as well as our recently completed 2015-2020 Strategic Plan for Elementary and Secondary Education. … As one who began his career as a school psychologist, I am trained to listen, and I look forward to putting that training to work on behalf of the people of Rhode Island. Effective leaders always listen and learn.

4How can RIDE better address the skills gap?

We should follow Gov. Raimondo’s lead and invest in programs that prepare students for successful careers in the fields most likely to be vibrant components of the Rhode Island economy. Investments in career and technical education programs should include health care, information technology and marine industries – and we should invest to ensure that each of our graduates has skills in literacy, mathematics, science and technology.

5Not all students are college bound, English speaking or able-bodied. What will RIDE do to ensure these groups are prepared for work and life?

I am a great believer in personalized, individualized instruction. This is what great teachers have always done. Equity demands that we ensure that students with diverse learning needs receive equal access to great teachers and to opportunities for success. We need to invest in high-quality early-childhood programs. •

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