Education Leaders Respond To Chafee
Friday, August 19, 2011
Education reformers are renewing their effort to bring the Achievement First charter management organization to the state to open a Mayoral Academy that would serve students in Cranston and Providence after Governor Lincoln Chafee expressed concern over opposition toward to the school.
Following a statehouse rally that included education activists and numerous Mayors from cities and towns around the state, the Governor said he was still not convinced bringing the well-regarded organization that has shown success in Connecticut and New York to Rhode Island would be a good idea.
Chafee: Lots Of Opposition
Chafee pointed the large number of critics of the plan, particularly in Cranston, where teachers, union officials and residents voiced their displeasure throughout the spring during public hearings with the Board of Regents.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“There is considerable local opposition to the establishment of a mayoral academy in Cranston,” he said. “The Superintendent, the elected City Council, and the elected School Committee were all in opposition. Numerous parents also attended public hearings to voice their considerable concerns.”
Chafee called for a strategic process for bringing in charter schools.
“I believe that Rhode Island’s public education system is good, but it can be better,” he said. “Charter schools are just one piece of improving public education in our state. For that reason, where and how we establish charter schools must be a strategic process.”
ED Reformer: This Is Supported By Community
But in a letter to Governor Chafee, Rhode Island Campaign For Achievement Now Executive Director Maryellen Butke said her organization filmed a video that shows support from teachers, students, parents and community members.
“We wanted the governor to hear straight from community members like you,” she wrote in an e-mail. “So we went around Providence and Cranston with a flipcam and interviewed parents. Please take a minute to watch the video below and hear about their gripping personal struggles to find the best educational option for their children.”
The video shows parents talking about the success their children had in Achievement First Schools.
“Making sure our kids get a great education shouldn’t be so hard,” Butke said. “A great public school option like Achievement First will make it much easier for parents like the ones in this video to make sure their kids are in a school that help them succeed. But this school won’t open without your help.”
Mayor Taveras Supports School
After months of deliberation, the Board of Regents is expected to vote of the school’s application on September 1.
And while it is believed the outcome is still very much in question, Achievement First got a boost yesterday when Providence Mayor Angel Taveras issued a letter to the Regents supporting the school. Both Taveras and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung have voiced their support for Achievement First, despite opposition from the public.
“We know that school districts cannot do it alone to improve education outcomes,” Taveras said. “Serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Achievement First Mayoral Academies with Mayor Allan Fung and community partners will give me the opportunity to broaden the ongoing conversation about transforming public education.”
Taveras said the city already has a number of successful charter schools and Achievement First would be no exception.
“Providence is home to a robust group of community-founded public charter schools that consistently outperform our traditional district middle and high schools and many of our elementary schools,” he said. “Given out outstanding community of public charter schools and Achievement First's track record of high student achievement and collaboration with other schools, the Achievement First Mayoral Academies will be a welcome addition and will advance my goal of building a portfolio of high quality school options for Providence’s children.”
If you valued this article, please LIKE GoLocalProv.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.
