2012 -- S 2404

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LC01577

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FOR THE JASON PROJECT

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, DeVall, DiPalma, Metts, and Pichardo

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2012

     Referred To: Senate Finance

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     WHEREAS, The Jason Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by

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University of Rhode Island Professor Robert D. Ballard in 1989; and

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     WHEREAS, The Jason Project is designed to help teachers develop their 21st century

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teaching skills while learning to use JASON curricula with their students. Currently, the Jason

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Project serves approximately 1,000 students and teachers across the state with its after-school

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initiative, known as Immersion Learning, and has established a panoply of educational goals and

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strategies to engage students in the areas of science, technology, and literacy, as well as help

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teachers to motivate students, integrate technology into lesson plans, and more effectively

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manage their classrooms; and

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     WHEREAS, Working in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, the National

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Geographic Society, the Sea Research Foundation, the Mystic Aquarium, the Cal Ripken, Sr.

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Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Rhode Island, the Jason Project seeks to

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implement the internationally recognized STEM program in Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket,

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Providence, Smithfield, Westerly, West Warwick, and Woonsocket; and

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     WHEREAS, In order to significantly expand the implementation of STEM, the Jason

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Project is requesting $500,000 for a public/private partnership. The funding will be used as

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follows:

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     Certification of Lead Teachers, including stipends for involvement, $35,000;

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     Grants to schools and organizations for program implementation, $185,000;

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     Training for Educators and Youth Workers, $50,000;

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     Curriculum for schools and after-school programs; $80,000;

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     Scientist mentoring via URI Inner Space Center, $150,000; and

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     WHEREAS, State investment will be matched by $1.5 million in private support

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including complimentary admission to Mystic Aquarium for participating students; and

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     WHEREAS, The project’s goal is to reach approximately 75 educators and 10,000

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students in the first year of the program, for a net investment by the state of $50.00 per child; and

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     WHEREAS, The Jason Project will focus on low- and moderate-income level students, as

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determined by Title 1 eligibility, and will specifically address the achievement gap among low-

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and moderate-income students in Title 1 communities; and

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     WHEREAS, Operating in all 50 states, the Jason Project makes a real difference for

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participating youth and has had a significant impact on closing the achievement gap for many

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students; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2012-2013, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars

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($500,000) for the Jason Project to implement activities outlined within this resolution; and the

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state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for

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the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt

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by him of properly authenticated vouchers.

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LC01577

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