In November we learned that one in three Rhode Island students met state standards in English and only one if four did so in math. These results emanated from a nationwide-administered test called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The curious response by the Commissioner of Education was that neither students nor the teachers were to blame. Governor Gina Raimondo had a more realistic response saying that the test results were a moment of truth: "The clock’s ticking and we’ve got to get it right." The governor certainly has it right.

What are we to make, however, of the excuses that poured out following the results? Is it so that nobody is to blame? “Students aren’t used to answering on a computer," was the most tendered reason. The children’s scores were about average since other states had mediocre grades as well.  That students weren’t prepared and ready to take such a test was also a claim although there was a 5 year lead-up to the testing. These rationalizations might be plausible if the students were outranking their international peers in critical thinking, problem solving and clear writing, but the reality is that this country is losing the mantle of academic leadership in the world. The bottom line is that the educational system is flunking.

So, we all know what’s going to happen next, don’t we? Calls for smaller classrooms and more teachers will become a cacophony. It matters little that this state is among the highest spenders on education. The graduation rate, while marginally improved, is still a disgrace. Throwing money at the problem doesn’t solve anything. A complete revolution of the educational content has to happen along with changes to the school schedule.

Were we to consider the first semester of actual school days here from grades K-12, there were constant disruptions of the educational process occasioned by holidays, teacher preparation and meeting days, etc. Next semester, of course, we will see Mother Nature making her own disruption. The entire schedule, including school on some holidays, has to be rethought and jettisoned along with implementing longer academic days. It’s about time that school bus companies stop dictating educational policy on the length of the school day.

Since 1978, every study about economic development in Rhode Island concluded that the students are not trained for future jobs since they do not learn appropriate knowledge and skills. Again, fortunately, the governor has taken the initiative to provide some money for education and job training in tandem with the needs of companies. Yet, that is mere frosting on the cake unless the underlying predicate education happens at a young age and continues in the public schools. An evaluation of what is taught in school is critical if we are to assist students to be knowledgeable and successful in the work force.

College administrators will confess that far too much time is spent on remediation of educational basics for students arriving at the universities.   Just as Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed wants to tie state funding to academic goals being met at state colleges, her proposal, while laudable, should be tied-in to funding formulas linked to progress at the grammar and the high schools as well.

Let’s hope that the governor’s recognition that ‘we’ve got to get it right” prevails.

Arlene Violet is an attorney and former Rhode Island Attorney General.