Governor Dan McKee and Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente gathered with education and community leaders at the Burnside Building on Thursday, April 27 to sign the Learn365RI Municipal Compact, making Bristol the second community to commit to helping the State improve student achievement levels by increasing out-of-school learning time.

Learn365RI seeks to improve student learning outcomes to reach Massachusetts levels in three key metrics: RICAS math and English Language Arts scores, student attendance, and FAFSA completion.

“Our goal with Learn365RI is to make a shift in how our students learn – from thinking that learning happens only during a 180-day school year, to embracing a 365-day, year-round learning strategy,” Governor McKee said. “I thank Town Administrator Contente, Superintendent of Schools Ana Riley, and the entire Town of Bristol for their commitment to learning.”

The Compact Contente and McKee signed reads, in part:

“Bristol recognizes that improving educational outcomes is central to raising the incomes of those who live in our community and ensuring all residents lead healthier lives…Bristol will explore participating in and creating learning opportunities that support and enhance efforts both inside and outside of the traditional school settings and schedules to enhance learning outcomes.”

The Compact outlines action steps that municipal leaders can take to help advance the concept of expanding the culture of learning from the 180-day school year to a full 365-day calendar year, including conduct a community-wide needs assessment and audit of existing and desired out-of-school time opportunities; promote out-of-school-time learning activities; and invest in existing or new community learning programs, centers, and/or libraries that will help advance the goal of improving educational outcomes.

McKee’s budget includes an additional $4 million earmarked for the Learn365RI initiative, to support municipalities with these efforts.

“With the assistance from talented volunteers from Bristol and Warren we are moving programs forward that fit in with the Governor’s Learn365RI initiative,” Town Administrator Contente said. “Working with the School District we are looking to help mentor students with work-based learning so that what is learned in the classroom can be seen and reinforced outside of the school.

In the short term it’s going to improve science and math skills in the classroom, in the long term it’s going to keep Bristol, Bristol. This town was founded on industry and if we don’t keep the skill set up we are going to lose what we have…we all have the same goal and I think we are going to succeed.”