From the EG Chamber of Commerce:
Education
The School System
The East Greenwich School Department, directed by Mr. Charles Meyers, consists of six schools. There are four elementary schools, two for grades K-3 and two for grades 4-6. Grades 7 and 8 attend Cole Middle School and there is one comprehensive high school for grades 9-12. High school students interested in vocational education enroll in the Regional Vocation Center in the adjacent city of Warwick.
Realizing that quality education requires both commitment and resources, East Greenwich has been proud to have its school budget supported by town citizens. A new budget goes into effect each year in July.
The 2500 students are served by 300 certified and non-certified personnel. The class size maximum for grades K-3 is 21 students. The class size maximum for grades 4-6 is 26 students.
East Greenwich Public Schools are recognized for achievement and innovation in core academic subjects as well as areas such as the visual and performing arts, special education and a gifted and talented program for elementary students.
A variety of co-curricular activities are available for students in grades 7-12, including intramural and interscholastic athletics, performing arts activities, student publications and student government.
East Greenwich High School consistently ranks as one of the top schools in Rhode Island. One criteria contributing to this is the high achievement of students on the SAT college entrance examination. Ninety five percent of the high school class of 2006 enrolled in institutions of higher education, with 87% attending four year colleges.
Eldredge Elementary School and Cole Junior High are nationally recognized Blue Ribbon schools of excellence, achieving this honor in 1993 and 1989 respectively and Cole was also honored in 2004..

Bob’s point, apparently, is that while the parents quality of life continues to diminish under increased teacher benefits (unless they’re teachers, of course) the kids are getting a great education so they will be able to get good paying jobs in another state where the taxes are quite so oppressive.

Interesting fact to consider when commenting on America’s academic rating compared to other nations: American public schools educate students of all intellectual levels – thus reflected in the cumulative rankings. Many other nations only educate a select few, especially at the higher levels, thus altering the overall ranking. Test only the highest achieving students in America and then see where the rankings fall.

>>Interesting fact to consider when commenting on America’s academic rating compared to other nations: American public schools educate students of all intellectual levels – thus reflected in the cumulative rankings. Many other nations only educate a select few, especially at the higher levels, thus altering the overall ranking. Test only the highest achieving students in America and then see where the rankings fall.
The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) is based in Paris, and its rankings are of the thirty most industrialized countries, such as in Europe, Japan, Korea, etc. Advanced countries which, I feel comfortable in assuming, have universal education.
As compared to those, U.S. high schoolers rank in the mid-twenties out of the thirty.
That’s the bottom third, for those of you who graduated from a public school in the last twenty years.

“The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) is based in Paris, and its rankings are of the thirty most industrialized countries, such as in Europe, Japan, Korea, etc. Advanced countries which, I feel comfortable in assuming, have universal education.”
One should not “feel comfortable in assuming”…although on this blog it is common practice.
I would encourage you to examine the numbers of students in many of those nations who do not attend high school and are “steered” in a different direction or are required to attend programs that are not college prep.
Also, I find it amusing that many on this blog seem to think that private schools offer students such a superior education. I would encourage you to spend time at both private and public schools in the state before making such an insulting statement. Also, if the individuals on this blog feel that test scores are the way to measure academic success, it is interesting to consider the fact that private schools in this state do not necessarily require students to take the NECAP and other required public tess. Are you so certain that the children who attend these schools are getting a superior education…or is the data simply not there to tear the system apart.
I do believe that education system in this country must to be reformed – it needs to evolve to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century – and it is falling short. However, attacking the educators, who are the ones willing to teach our children, is clearly not the way to inspire productive change. Revising curriculum, funding focused, proven initiatives, and inspiring, not deterring, intelligent individuals to enter the teaching profession will create vast improvements in our nation’s educational system.

A little late but my two cents regarding Mr. Hawthornes comments on Bill 3050.
While not disputing your facts that over the past ten years, E.G.’s municipal operating budget increased 3.1% per year and the School Dept. budget increased 6.5% per year, I do question your assertion that it’s because of the teachers union contracts.
In your misguided rant you totally overlooked, or ignored one of the greatest reasons of spiraling educational costs, UNFUNDED STATE AND LOCAL MANDATES. How can any school system, or any business for that fact, live within their budgets when once it has been foremalized an outside mandate demands you spend x amount of dollars that were not budgeted for in the first place.