Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Approves Three Year Extension for Providence Public Schools Intervention

Published on Friday, August 30, 2024

PROVIDENCE, RI – Last evening, the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education met and received Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green’s recommendation for the future of the state intervention in Providence Public Schools. 

The Commissioner’s recommendation to extend the Providence Public Schools District’s (PPSD) Turnaround Status and the Turnaround Action Plan (TAP) for up to three years considered the findings of two independent, third-party reviews conducted by nationally recognized organizations including SchoolWorks and Harvard Graduate School for Education’s Center for Education Policy Research. The reports indicate that the District, despite unprecedented challenges faced during the pandemic, has made notable progress under the state intervention but that areas of needed improvement persist for all stakeholders. The recommendation also allows for the Commissioner to recommend the District to exit the intervention if local authorities demonstrate capacity and readiness to regain control prior to the three-year mark. The Council’s final vote was unanimous, and all public comments submitted formally were in support of an extension.

"The pandemic had a profound effect on all Rhode Island school operations but was particularly debilitating to the turnaround efforts that had only just begun under the state intervention at Providence Schools," said Governor Dan McKee. "Nevertheless, the Providence public school system has managed to make measurable improvements under these difficult conditions. But, as Commissioner Infante-Green has made clear, significant work still needs to be done to ensure that the progress made through the state intervention is sustainable and not temporary. We cannot go back to the way things were. That is why I support the Commissioner’s decision to give the state intervention more time to position Providence Schools for long-term success and ensure a smooth, effective transition back to local control."

“As Commissioner overseeing the intervention of Providence Public Schools, I am committed to delivering the improvement students, families, and teachers of Providence have demanded for more than three decades,” said Commissioner Infante-Green. “Two independent reviews of PPSD clearly showed that the District has made progress with the support of the state, but it is not yet where it needs to be, and it remains unclear if local stakeholders are ready for a return that will sustain the progress made. I thank the Council for their approval of my recommendation that will allow all Providence stakeholders to further strengthen the foundation for PPSD’s long-term success. I look forward to continuing the momentum and working closely with our partners to address the remaining challenges that will help us create a world-class education system that we can all be proud of.”

“Last evening, the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education was provided two in-depth analyses conducted by leading education experts underscoring that, with the assistance of RIDE, PPSD has made headway but that obstacles continue to exist,” said Council Chair Patti DiCenso. “We remain committed to better serving Providence students and ensuring the right systems and conditions are in place that will not allow PPSD to revert to the ways of the past that have negatively impacted students. We appreciate the Commissioner’s recommendation to allow ample time for proper planning and action by all Providence stakeholders to prevent a backslide of PPSD.”

“As Superintendent of Providence, my primary focus is on doing what is best for our kids and delivering the high-quality education they deserve,” said Providence Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “In accordance with the Commissioner’s recommendation and the Council’s approval for the extension of the intervention, I will work with my team to build on the areas of progress identified and to swiftly address the persisting challenges we face. By putting our kids first, I know that we can all work to make Providence the destination for education that we know it can and should be.”

The recommendation memo, independent reports, a Frequently Asked Questions document, and other informational materials of the Providence Public Schools review can be found at https://ride.ri.gov/inside-ride/lea-reviews. 

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