Under the leadership of Democratic Governor Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island is a very charter-friendly state. Raimondo was a venture capitalist before she entered politics. Her husband was TFA.
The welcome mat is out for charter schools in the state. The latest proposal for a new charter comes from Excel Academy in Boston.
Linda Borg of the Providence Journal writes:
PROVIDENCE — Critics of a new charter school application say the Boston-based school will draw millions of dollars away from the traditional public schools and, combined with a proposed expansion of Achievement First, create two parallel school systems.
Excel Academy hopes to enroll 2,100 students in kindergarten through grade 12 by the time it reaches full capacity in 10 years — at a cost of $7.4 million in lost local revenues to the Providence school district.
“Frankly, it could be the best school in the universe,” said CONTINUE READING: Rhode Island: Critics Object to Charter Expansion Plans | Diane Ravitch's blog