Is Achievement First Part of the Solution for Ailing Providence Schools?
Monday, September 09, 2019
The high performing — and often controversial — charter school Achievement First believes its model deserves expansion in Rhode Island, as the state this week takes another step towards taking over the ailing Providence schools.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about issues at the network of Achievement First schools, including how students rank the school climate in Rhode Island.
GoLocalProv.com sat down with Elizabeth Winangun, the Director of External Relations for AF in Rhode Island, to discuss what Achievement First sees as the opportunities — and challenges — at the nationally-owned education corporation, that until last year counted among its ranks Jonathan Sackler — of Purdue Pharma, the subject of hundreds of lawsuits across the country due to its role in the opioid crisis — on its board.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I think we’ve benefited from having a network that’s 15 years old — and learning the lessons from other places. It’s hard to open a school,” said Winangun, a Rhode Island native who worked in the Providence public schools before joining Achievement First.
“Our greatest success is ultimately being a proof point in Providence that all kids can achieve at high levels,” said Winangun. According to Achievement First, their schools scored an average of 56% proficient on the RICAS, compare to 34% across the state — and 16% in Providence.
With now three schools in the state since opening in the 2013-2014 school year, Achievement First cites that the Rhode Island Department of Education in 2016 gave approval to Achievement First to grow to a high school — and add an additional K-8 giving Achievement First the ability to serve 3112 students — up from the current 1150 students in Providence and Cranston.
VIDEO: See Achievement First's Winangun on Need for Expansion ABOVE
In August, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, who for the past five years has governed over one of the worst school systems in America, floated the idea of calling for the closure of a local charter school -- to allow to move dollars to the nationally-run Achievement First to expand — which drew immediate fire, including from the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools.
Rhode Island State Senator Sam Bell recently called for the "dismantlement” of Achievement First in Rhode Island, citing abuse at other Achievement First schools
"These 5th-grade school climate student survey results from Achievement First's Providence Middle School are just horrific. Sure, the other Achievement First schools also show bad results, but how can we tolerate this much human misery? Student morale is terrible in Rhode Island already, but these results are horrific, even for Rhode Island," wrote Bell.
Winangun said she believed it was the constant request for feedback — as well as the timing of surveys — that could have played a factor.
“The big challenge we have with the surveys — is that we do them all at the same time — RIDE, and internally,” said Winangun. “Kids, teachers, and parents do our survey — they’re required to.”
“So we had to make a decision around what [survey] we were going to drive — the internal one was super important. [Achievement First and RIDE] both use [survey tool] Panorama — hopefully we can align both in the future,” said Winangun. “I think part of it is you’re seeing a snapshot. I think what is more helpful to be here and feel the [school] climate and talk with students — the distribution of a survey at2:30 after a math test isn’t necessarily a good time to ask kids what they think about school.”
Winangun also addressed the issue of recent episodes of violence — and concerns of lack of minority representation which occurred at Achievement First’s New Haven school location — which Bell had pointed to.
“I think what happened in Connecticut was a wake-up call. We took that to heart. It’s something we’ve worked at across the board," said Winangun.
Achievement First said that 29% of its Rhode Island staff (and 56% of new staff) identify as Black, Latinx or Multiracial — and pointed to that cross Rhode Island, less than 5% of teachers are of color, citing a recent report.
“I think [our] kids take total pride in these schools,” said Winangun. “I had four kids from [Frank] Spaziano [Elementary School] come over and ask us for applications. Kids talk to kids — that’s an important barometer.”
Purdue -- and Sackler -- Connection
Achievement First had counted among its backers - and board members Purdue Pharma's Jonathan Sackler. Sackler, his family and their company Purdue Pharma are the focus of thousands of lawsuits for their role in the opioid epidemic. Sackler was also a donor to Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, who ultimately gave his thousands in political contributions to a nonprofit focused on addressing the opioid crisis.
Achievement First severed ties with Sackler -- but still credits his role in the organization.
"Jon Sackler is not a member of the Achievement First board; he resigned in January 2018. The last donation AF received from the Bouncer Foundation was in 2017-18. In June, AF Co-CEO and President Dacia Toll released this statement, in response to press inquiries: 'Achievement First has decided not to seek further funding from the Sackler family or any of their affiliated foundations. We are grateful for the generous philanthropy from all of our donors, including Jon Sackler. This support has made it possible for thousands of students to receive the education they need and deserve,'" said Achievement First in a statement.
