Providence Schools Teaching Policy Cheating Students, Says Student
Thursday, October 01, 2020
B. Jewett, a Classical sophomore, is raising concerns about who can teach -- and who can't -- during coronavirus. Photo: Jewett
A 10th grader, who goes by B. Jewett, said that Providence schools’ policy regarding which teachers it allows to instruct remotely has left students with a substitute teacher not certified in the subject area being taught.
Jewett said an "excellent" -- and qualified -- teacher could have taught the 10th-grade chemistry class remotely, but was not allowed to due to district policy.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I am fighting this fight because Providence schools are being hurt again,” said Jewett.
Jewett sent a letter this week to Providence Schools Superintendent Harrison Peters and RIDE Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green expressing disappointment after a particular teacher was not allowed to teach remotely, when she opted not to teach in-person due to her husband’s medical condition.
In the letter to officials, Jewett wrote about an overwhelmingly positive experience with Dr. Lesley Shapiro in 9th grade for biology -- and Jewett had hoped to have again in 10th-grade chemistry.
“Dr. Shapiro was denied to work in the VLA (Virtual Learning Academy) because she does not have a medical condition,” said Jewett. “However, she is not able to teach in person because her husband's doctor said that it would be unsafe for her to do so.”
“She is, however, ready, willing, and able to teach virtually at Classical. She was denied this as well,” said Jewett.
One Student’s Story
“Last year, Dr. Shapiro was a godsend for me. For the first time in my career as a Providence Public School student, I had a science teacher whose class was not about memorizing facts,” said Jewett. “Dr. Shapiro’s class was about learning to think and argue like a scientist. She taught us how to think about science through what she called collective sensemaking, how to argue from evidence, and how to revise our ideas when presented with new data.”
“The organizational structure of her class allowed me to be successful and enjoy a class that I would have otherwise gritted my teeth to get through,” Jewett added. “None of this changed when we moved to remote learning, Dr. Shapiro adapted to the new environment and we continued to learn in the same way she had taught all year.”
“Imagine my shock, therefore, when my family and I discovered that Dr. Shapiro would not be teaching this year, simply because it is not safe for her to teach in person due to her husband's medical condition. What is even worse is that the substitute assigned to fill in for Dr. Shapiro is not certified as a science teacher or science sub in the state of Rhode Island or Massachusetts,” said Jewett.
“How is this fair and equitable to students at Classical? How does this prioritize our education? How does this prepare us to compete in college applications? Is the state takeover trying to help us or hurt us? How is not having a tenth-grade chemistry teacher when one is available helping us succeed?” asked Jewett.
Providence schools were called an "education horror show" by the Wall Street Journal in 2019.
The Raimondo administration officially rolled out its plan on how to "transform" Providence schools a year later -- this past summer.
Providence Teacher Policy
Providence Public Schools spokesperson Laura Hart affirmed that Virtual Learning Academy placements prioritized those teachers with direct health conditions.
“In determining teacher placements for its Virtual Learning Academy, Providence Public Schools prioritized staff members with medical conditions that put them at greater risk for COVID-19 complications, according to CDC guidelines,” said Hart.
“Per diem substitutes are not required to be certified teachers,” said Hart. “However, [this substitute] is a certified math teacher in the state of Rhode Island."
Providence schools' rationale did not placate Jewett, however.
“Classical is a school where more than 75 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and the majority of our student body consists primarily of students of color. My classmates and I need every advantage, instead we are being given an unqualified sub when a qualified teacher is available to teach us,” Jewett said.
“Again, what is the point of a state takeover when the state mishandles us as badly as our own district? Our school does not need another disadvantage, especially one at a critical time that may prevent students from advancing in STEM,” said Jewett. “No one I know in Barrington, East Greenwich, or North Kingstown is having this problem.“
Jewett on Wednesday had a conversation with Peters, and said that the superintendent said that he understands Jewett's frustration, but that Providence schools have many more teachers who want to work remotely than can be accommodated.
"I don't think that he quite gets the impact that this is having. My peers and I will not learn chemistry in high school if this continues," said Jewett. "Maybe I'm naive, but I can't believe that if he cared to he couldn't find a solution."
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