STEM learning program to shut down due to community service grant fallout

JASON Learning will no longer be able to offer its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum to more than 20 Rhode Island schools because it was not included on the list of state Community Service Grant program recipients.
JASON Learning will no longer be able to offer its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum to more than 20 Rhode Island schools because it was not included on the list of state Community Service Grant program recipients.

PROVIDENCE – JASON Learning will no longer be able to offer its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum to more than 20 Rhode Island schools because it was not included on the list of state Community Service Grant program recipients.
“We are extremely disappointed in this development … Unfortunately, we are caught up in in the negative headlines associated with Rhode Island’s community service grant program and it seems to have had a detrimental impact on our ability to be a grant recipient this year,” President and CEO of JASON Learning Eleanor Smalley said in a statement.
“We are proud of this program and because of our relationship with the University of Rhode Island’s School of Oceanography, we do not want to see Rhode Island become the only state that we do not operate in,” she added.
JASON, an Ashburn, Va., nonprofit founded in 1989 by Robert Ballard, the famed ocean explorer, has provided services in Rhode Island since 2012. JASON currently provides scientific learning services in every state in the nation.
Smalley said in a news release that because JASON was not included in this year’s budget, she will “reluctantly” have to start informing superintendents in more than 20 Rhode Island school districts that JASON’s educational services will no longer be available.
JASON Learning’s mission is to educate students through real science and exploration using STEM role models. All JASON materials are aligned to local and state standards, Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core. The curriculum includes professional development, visits from guest scientists and interactive, online learning.
This coming year, JASON said it had budgeted to make the programing available to all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island in addition to 200 teacher professional development trainings.
“There is no other funding available for this program for next year leaving JASON no other option but to shut down services in Rhode Island,” the release said.

Last year, state funding was withheld for the program because JASON was in the midst of an arbitration proceeding; it concluded in JASON’s favor.
Smalley said the program continued last year, despite the funding issue, because “we decided it was the right thing to do.” She said more than $220,000 worth of scientific educational programming was provided.
“We cannot continue to offer our services in Rhode Island for free. I would hope legislators understand the good faith effort that we made on behalf of the state last year,” she said.
School districts that have used the JASON Learning curriculum include Bristol/Warren, Burrillville, Central Falls, Chariho, Cranston, East Greenwich, East Providence, Jamestown, Johnston, Lincoln, Newport, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, South Kingstown, Tiverton, Warwick, West Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket.
Just last week, House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed said the state’s $11 million Community Service Grant program will be replaced with two methods of funding community-based organizations, including itemized budget appropriations and competitive programs administered by state agencies.
Mattiello said the change is needed to bring more transparency to the funding process.

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