REPUBLICAN FY 2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL

REPUBLICAN FY 2013 BUDGET PROPOSAL DRAMATIC AND RECKLESS CUTS TO EDUCATION SPENDING   Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives began debate on its budget proposal for FY 2013, the upcoming fiscal year that begins October 1st. The debate resumes on the House floor today. In Washington: • Almost 3,500 children will be eliminated from the

Rhode Island Update: The Politics of Successful New Schools

Some good news from Rhode Island this week in today’s Providence Journal which celebrates the early success of the flagship Rhode Island Mayoral Academies school in Blackstone Valley. The editorial, quoting State Commish Deborah Gist, notes how rare it is for any school in the state to have 100% of students showing proficiency or better on

Joe Williams on WPRO

On February 9th, DFER executive director Joe Williams spoke with Dan Yorke on NewsTalk 630 WPRO & 99.7 FM. CLICK HERE to listen to their discussion about the future of Rhode Island’s Race to the Top grant and Education Commissioner Deborah Gist.

Group urges Governor Chafee to support charter schools

By Jennifer D. Jordan (From The Providence Journal, January 26, 2011) PROVIDENCE, R.I. — For the second time in two days, an education advocacy group is appealing to Governor Chafee to push ahead with controversial school reforms, in this case the growth of public charter schools, an expansion the governor has made clear he does

DFER-RI: 'Thoughtful Pause' on Charters Jeopardizes Race to the Top Funding

DFER-Rhode Island called on Governor Chafee to abandon his call for a “thoughtful pause” and forge ahead with the expansion of charter schools as called for in the state’s successful Race to the Top application. Continued delay in developing new public charter schools puts Rhode Island’s $75 million Race to the Top Grant in serious jeopardy.

Reform Tidal Wave Washes Up On Rhode Island

Earlier this week, we celebrated New York Assemblyman Sam Hoyt’s groundbreaking “Race To The Top” legislation, designed to give New York a shot at even competing for boatloads of federal education cash. Then, we celebrated Michigan Senator Buzz Thomas’ “smart cap” legislation, which would unleash the power of successful public charter schools in the Wolverine

Courage Grips Rhode Island Legislature (Race To The Top Heats Up As The Ocean State Jumps In)

A week after Rhode Island legislators stripped funding for a new, innovative “mayoral academy” charter school and days after Education Secretary Arne Duncan warned that the Ocean State would have some ‘splainin to do when it applied for federal Race To The Top funds because of it, the Legislature voted very early this morning to put the

Cumberland Mayor Daniel J. McKee Announces Plans For The First Mayoral Academy In Rhode Island

(From The Providence Journal, March 12, 2009) By JENNIFER D. JORDAN CUMBERLAND — A group of mayors and town administrators, led by Cumberland Mayor Daniel J. McKee, announced yesterday the launch of plans for a novel kind of public charter school. The mayors hope their proposed Rhode Island Mayoral Academies, free from many of the

Racing To The Top: Rhode Island Gets Interesting…

The Providence Journal reports this morning that Rhode Island Education Commissioner Peter McWalters has informed Providence Superintendent Tom Brady that city schools may no longer allow seniority “bumping” to push good teachers out of bad schools. And before anyone can say, “But wait, what about the teachers contract?” McWalters is making clear those kinds of excuses aint gonna

Rhode Island: Help for McKee

My friend Angus Davis, up in Providence, is holding a fundraiser for Cumberland (Rhode Island) Mayor Daniel McKee tomorrow night, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 10 Brown Street, Providence. You may recall that McKee played a leading role in pushing the recent Mayoral Academies legislation that passed in Rhode Island. Suggested contributions are $500/sponsor