Charge

In line with Brown University's commitment and plan to engage with local schools and organizations to advance educational equity and success in Providence and Rhode Island, the Public Education Advisory Committee advises Brown to maximize and amplify the University's relationship with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and other partners serving K-12 students in Providence.

One specific area for which the Public Education Advisory Committee provides advice relates to how Brown University administers the Fund for the Education of Children of Providence (The Fund). Committee members regularly provide advice and feedback on new spending proposals supported by the Fund to advise Brown on how to maximize benefits for Providence students. 

General Guidelines for Operations

The committee meets at least two times over the course of each academic year to discuss progress and updates related to Brown University’s engagement and partnership with PPSD and other organizations serving K-12 students and families. 

Members review, discuss, and provide recommendations on existing and proposed initiatives supported by The Fund to support Providence students. Committee members provide input and advice during group deliberation or contribute feedback asynchronously on these matters. 

Initiatives supported by The Fund will be expected to deliver an annual reporting to the PEAC of key activities and outcomes. Proposals for new projects supported by The Fund will be developed in collaboration with PPSD leadership and may be considered on a rolling basis. Every three years the committee will conduct a review of the distribution of proceeds from The Fund and provide feedback and recommendations aligned with ensuring the projects maintain alignment with evolving PPSD priorities.

The committee is convened by Brown University’s Vice President for Community Engagement.

Membership

The membership of the committee is structured to maximize collaboration and partnership between Brown, PPSD and the greater Providence community, in service to advancing educational equity and success for PPSD students. 

Standing members of the committee include:

• Vice President for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Swearer Center (Chair)
• Members of the Brown community:
  • The President, or designee
  • The Director of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform
  • The Chair of the Department of Education
  • The Assistant Dean for Equity Initiatives and University K-12 Engagement (who presides over the meetings in the absence of the Chair)
• Members representing PPSD and its fiduciary for The Fund:
  • The Superintendent of the Providence Public School District, or designee
  • The Mayor of the City of Providence, or designee 
  • The Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, or designee
  • Education Program Officer, Rhode Island Foundation 

Additional members serve 2-year terms and may be renewed for a subsequent second term. Members include:

• PPSD students (2)
• PPSD teachers, school building personnel, youth-serving nonprofit representatives (2)
• Members of the Greater Providence community (2) 
• Brown Undergraduate Student (1) and Graduate Student (1)

In addition to formal members of the PEAC, the Chair may invite additional community or campus participation in PEAC meetings. A designee of the Vice President for Community Engagement staffs the committee.