More from Central Falls
A former Central High student writes:
The author graduated from Central Falls High in Rhode Island in 2003.
Under the advisement of Superintendent of Schools Frances Gallo, the Central Falls school committee in Rhode Island voted 5-2 to fire the entire faculty, 93 people total, including the principal, three assistant principals and 77 teachers at Central Falls High School on Feb. 23.. . . .
Central Falls is one of the poorest cities in the state and the country, with a median income of only $22,000. Of the 800-plus students at Central Falls High, the only high school in the city, 65 percent are Latino, most whom speak English as a second language. Yet somehow, these facts do not get taken into account when looking at test scores.Standardized testing such as the NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program) is culturally biased, and does not adequately "assess" a student’s knowledge. Imagine having to take a test in another language that you barely understand. Is it really possible to do well if the student does not even understand the questions?Many students also lack "initiative" due to the inability to pay for college. If students know they cannot afford college, then why would high school matter to them? The same teacher added in her interview with PSLweb.org: "My major concern is the number of undocumented immigrants at the school. These students and their families are in fear that they will be discovered and deported. Many of them do not finish school because they can’t go to college without papers. This is a common occurrence."These are the real issues that face Central Falls High School students every day. I know this personally. I graduated from Central Falls in 2003. I experienced first-hand families of friends struggling to make ends meet; students trying to juggle full-time jobs needed to help their parents pay bills and also trying to finish school work on time.