Rhode Island Department of Education to retain control of Providence Public Schools
by NBC 10 NEWS
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said in a letter Thursday that she’s recommending the state retain control of the Providence Public School District for up to three years.
The state took control of the struggling school system in 2019 after a Johns Hopkins report found it to be one of the worst performing in the country.
The Providence School Board president called the decision “disappointing.”
The board last week unanimously recommended ending the state takeover.
The state Department of Education two weeks ago released two independent reports on the progress of the takeover, which Infante-Green took into account while determining her final recommendation.
The commissioner said in her letter that the “nationally recognized organizations concluded that the Providence Public Schools District (PPSD), despite the unprecedented and persistent challenges of the pandemic, has made notable progress.”
She said that the reports found that PPSD had met several goals outlined in the turnaround plan, such as improving student outcomes, expanding quality learning experiences, better supporting educators and building new buildings.
“With our focus on better serving students and getting educators what they need, progress has been possible, but it remains unclear if the right conditions are in place to prevent a backslide,” Infante-Green said.
She said she recommended extending state control “because the absence of an aligned, shared vision of governance and limited focus on improving student outcomes troubles me and is not conducive to continued success.”
Infante-Green said she has asked Turnaround Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez to update the turnaround plan.
“PPSD does not need more attempts that are temporarily successful,” Infante-Green said. “I want to finish the job and deliver the lasting improvements the Providence community has demanded.”
“We intend to make sure that these structures and systems are in place so the district can go back to local control that is our desire trust me,” said Infante-Green. “For the first time we are out performing other districts that’s exciting parents want to feel that.”
“Anyone in education knows that this takes time,” she said. “What we hope to see is progress and a strong foundation before it goes back.”
“As we make those gains to show growth people start to believe in the work that we’re doing,” said Montanez. “This is about our kids we’re starting a solid foundation that we can continue to grow on and this is about setting the foundation so our students can become the next generation.”
Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Council President Rachel Miller sent NBC 10 the following statement:
Through countless interactions with teachers, principals and school staff, it is clear how hard they’re working to improve the results for our students. While it is great that the recently issued reports acknowledge that progress, we have also heard from families, teachers and our own city departments that there is still a lot of room for improvement in fostering a climate of collaboration and community that is required to move the district forward on a timeline that our students deserve. It is for this reason that we are disappointed by the recommendation that the state takeover continue for an additional three years. The City is well on track to begin the transition year in school year 2025-2026 with schools returned to municipal control for the 2026-2027 school year. We are ready to work collaboratively to integrate operations, finances and functions that have become disconnected at times during the current takeover. In the meantime, we will continue to work with the community to advance key Turnaround Action Plan metrics, support early childhood education and invest in both after school and summer learning programs to improve educational outcomes and set our students up for long-term success. We will continue with our plan and hope the Commissioner and the K-12 Council will see our progress and consider advancing the timeline in the months ahead.
NBC 10’s John Perik contributed to this report.