Providence Journal: First, Fire All the Teachers!
This is the most curious news story of the week. It appeared unsigned in the Providence (Rhode Island) Journal, prepared by the “GoLocalProv News Team.”
It says that the fate of the reform of the Providence public schools lies in the hands of the Providence Teachers Union, led by Maribeth Calabro; she, the story warns, may be able to veto the new state commissioner’s plans to transform the Providence public schools. It does not mention that the state commissioner taught for two years in New York City as a fast-tracked Teach for America teacher, has no prior experience as either a school principal or superintendent and has kept her plans to transform the district a deep secret.
But here is where the article goes strange.
In 2011, newly-elected Providence Mayor Angel Taveras fired all the teachers in Providence — it was a big and bold decision, and it was reversed within days.
Not too many politicians, especially Democrats. will take on teachers unions in this country and especially in the heavily union-based Rhode Island.
The action in 2011 drew national attention. In a statement, the American Federation of Teachers national President Randi Weingarten called the decision CONTINUE READING: Providence Journal: First, Fire All the Teachers! | Diane Ravitch's blog
