RI Dept. Of Education To Take Over Troubled Providence Schools

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Education will be taking over Providence schools, starting next month. The decision comes several months after a scathing report detailed systemic, across-the-board issues in the school system.

Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced the decision on Tuesday through a final Order of Control and Reconstitution, which outlines how the state will make improvements to the city's troubled schools. The order will go into effect on Nov. 1.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Providence, and I am excited to begin the work of transforming the city’s schools to serve generations of students and families," Infante-Green said. "We know the road ahead will be long and challenging in order to make sustainable, long-term change. We are committed to working tirelessly with educators, students, and the community to develop a plan that moves us in that direction from day one."

The report, compiled by the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, was commissioned by Infante-Green after 2018 test scores showed that just 10 percent of Providence students were proficient in math and 14 percent were proficient in English-Language Arts. Governor Gina Raimondo said the schools are "in crisis" following the release of the report, which detailed a lack of learning across the board in Providence, from an unsupportive learning environment to crumbling infrastructure.

Since then, a series of public forums, work groups and focus groups have allowed Providence students and families to voice their concerns and offer suggestions about improving the city's schools. In her final order, Infante-Green called for community input in the turnaround plan, saying in part:

"The Turnaround Plan shall take into account the issues that youth and families identify, and will include, among other things, the following: (i) provisions, policies, and practices to ensure transparency in the implementation of the Turnaround Plan, (ii) respect, recognition, and value for the diverse communities served by PPSD, (iii) provisions to afford students and parents sufficient opportunity to measure the progress of the Turnaround Plan; and (iv) provisions to afford relevant stakeholders, including students and parents, sufficient mechanisms to express their opinion on material decisions."

The final order also extends the length of the turnaround plan from three to five years.

"I would like to thank the mayor, City Council, and School Board for allowing this effort to move forward, which speaks volumes to the collective recognition that we have no time to waste," Infante-Green said. "We have been failing our kids for too long. But there is a tremendous appetite for change, and I am eager to roll up my sleeves and work alongside the city, community, students, parents, and educators to reimagine education in Providence, and across Rhode Island."

Dr. Frances Gallo is currently serving as interim superintendent of the Providence School System, until the commissioner chooses a permanent replacement.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said he is "committed to engaging our families and centering their voices to ensure long-lasting change."

"We have always known that providing our students the 21st century education they deserve cannot be done alone," Elorza said. "The strong collaboration we have built with the State and local stakeholders will continue to be the driving force behind what we have envisioned for PPSD. As we consider every option and engage every stakeholder, we will focus on developing sustainable changes that build bright futures for every Providence student."