This week on Back to School, we talk about the efforts to reform education past and present. Our guests are Peter McWalters, who served as state Education Commissioner from 1992 until 2009, and current Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green. We talk about whether public schools have ever been able to educate all students well, and why […]
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
Posted inArticle, Education
National Teachers Union Head Speaks In Providence
Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers, made a visit to Providence Saturday, highlighting the impending contract negotiations between the state and the Providence Teachers Union. Weingarten spoke to a crowded cafeteria in a Providence high school, during an event hosted by the local union. Providence teachers go back to the bargaining […]
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Turnaround Superintendent Begins Work In Providence Schools
Harrison Peters began his three-year tenure as head of the Rhode Island’s largest school district this week. He begins the job halfway through the academic year, and more than three months into the state takeover of the schools.
Posted inArticle, Education
Foundation Seeking Proposals To Improve RI Schools
The Providence-based Rhode Island Foundation is making $1 million dollars in grant money available for proposals to improve public education across the state. In the last year, efforts to improve the public schools have seen renewed interest by politicians and state leaders. The release of standardized test scores known as RICAS placed the state well […]
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Providence To Begin Incentive Program For Teacher ESL Certification
Providence plans to offer financial incentives in an effort to get more certified English language teachers for the district. Providence will reimburse teachers enrolling in certain ESL certification programs, up to $3,200 beginning this summer. The money will come from federal funds funneled through through the school district, and philanthropic dollars yet to be secured. […]
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RI Education Commissioner On Schools Statewide: ‘No One Is Where They Should Be’
State Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green enters month three of the takeover of the Providence schools with a highly anticipated new superintendent of schools. She’s also put together a team of community members who are hammering out guidelines for the turnaround plan. She says a lot of work has already taken place behind the scenes in […]
Posted inArticle, Education
RI Lawmakers Propose Series of Changes For School Funding
The recommended changes represent the first major effort to retool the statewide funding formula Rhode Island has used to pay for public K-12 education since it was adopted in 2010. The series of recommendations would require millions of dollars in new funding. They also lay out plans for new data collection, new rules governing municipal […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Harrison Peters Steps Into The Spotlight As “Turnaround Superintendent”
Surrounded by elected leaders, education officials and reporters Monday at Leviton Dual Language School in Providence, Harrison Peters got a taste of the public scrutiny sure to accompany his new job as superintendent. In November, the Rhode Island education department took over the troubled Providence School District, which has been under fire since a scathing […]
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Tampa Area Education Official Named PVD Turnaround Superintendent
After a months-long search, the Providence Schools have a new superintendent. Harrison Peters is the outgoing Deputy Superintendent for the Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida. Peters will take the helm in Rhode Island’s largest district. The previous full-time superintendent Chris Maher left the district in 2019 and interim leaders have been serving since. According […]
Posted inArticle, Education
State Education Head Criticizes Language Academies Idea For Students Learning English
Rhode Island education commissioner Angelica Infante-Green is rebuking an idea floated by Rhode Island Republicans to set up language learning academies for students learning English. After Governor Gina Raimondo’s annual address to the General Assembly, where she talked about the efforts the state has made to improve education, the Rhode Island Republican party the offered […]