Wall Street Journal Charges That Elorza is “Holding the Children and Charter Schools Hostage”
Thursday, August 29, 2019
First, the Wall Street Journal editorial board dubbed Providence schools “An Education Horror Show.”
Now, the influential global business news organization is doubling down on criticizing Providence's failed educational system and specifically Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.
On Thursday, America’s leading business newspaper published a blistering editorial attacking Elorza’s policies and his efforts to block the expansion of educational alternative for Providence families.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“The mayor is holding the children and charter schools hostage while he tries to squeeze more money from the state for his failing schools. Ms. Infante-Green shouldn’t pay his blackmail. The Governor and Legislature can strip him of his power over charters before he does more harm to children,” writes the Wall Street Journal.
In addition the paper writes, “But now Mayor Elorza is threatening to block an expansion of Rhode Island’s top-performing Achievement First charter network. About four times as many students at Achievement First schools meet or exceed state English standards than at traditional Providence schools. Achievement First’s newest school last year ranked number one in the state—despite spending about $1,700 less per pupil than traditional schools.”
“The mayor says he worries that a new Achievement First charter could trigger a prison break by parents that drains money from traditional schools. Due to an oddity in state law, the mayor chairs the Achievement First board in Rhode Island and can stop its expansion. He wants to force a charter school in Providence to close before letting Achievement First add an additional school,” the editorial adds.
READ THE REST OF THE WSJ EDITORIAL HERE.
GoLocalProv.com in a Saturday editorial called for Elorza to step aside and stop interfering in the operation and the transfer of Providence Schools to state control.
The Wall Street Journal urges Governor Gina Raimondo and legislative leaders to strip Elorza of any control over education in Providence, "The Governor and Legislature can strip him of his power over charters before he does more harm to children."
