City Council President Sabina Matos Welcomes

Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green to Providence

(L to R) Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and Providence City Council President Sabina Matos meet at Harry Kizirian Elementary School in Providence on Monday, April 29, 2019.

This morning Providence City Council President Sabina Matos joined Principal Daniel Smith and the students of Harry Kizirian Elementary School, along with Providence Schools Superintendent Christopher Maher, and Providence School Board member Mark Santow in welcoming Rhode Island’s new Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green on her first day.

“Commissioner Infante-Green has a remarkable resumé, and her skill set is unmatched,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Rhode Island is a unique state when it comes to the needs of our students, and although our state is small, we have a broad base of students that represent countries from around the world and who speak many different languages. The Commissioner’s work in this space, I believe, will make her an excellent leader in addressing the concerns that many of us have regarding our multi-language learners. With graduation rates in our capital city continuing to be on a dangerous and downward trend for these students, I am glad that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) has begun to look at education reforms here in Providence and across the state. I look forward to working closely with Commissioner Infante-Green to make not just Providence, but the state, a case study in how we can turn around our schools and support our students.”

Multi-language learners are one of the fastest growing student populations in the United States, and here in Rhode Island. Several studies including the Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook from 2016, and other education advocacy groups, have all acknowledged that RIDE needs to address these issues that come from having such a diverse student body in a meaningful and transformative way.

Council President Matos continued, “The City Council welcome Commissioner Infante-Green, and we look forward to hearing her plans for transforming our states education system.”