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March 19, 2008

McWalters: Let me help select Providence school chief

PROVIDENCE -- The state commissioner of education met with Mayor David N. Cicilline today and told him that he wants to play a role in the selection of a new superintendent.

Cicilline contacted Commissioner Peter McWalters after Supt. Donnie Evans announced his resignation on Monday, shortly before the School Board was prepared to vote on whether to renew his contract. Evans promised to remain in Providence until his contract expires on Sept. 19, which should give the city time to hire a new school leader.

“They talked in general terms about the process of recruiting a new superintendent and Peter made it clear that he wants to play a role in the recruiting and hiring process,” said Elliot Krieger, a spokesman for the state Department of Education. “The state has a huge investment in Providence. The selection of a leader is part of RIDE’s engagement.”

Exactly what role McWalters will play in the selection of a new superintendent remains to be seen, Krieger said. The theme of today’s meeting was that the state Department of Education remains committed to working closely with Providence to make sure that there is a smooth transition from one superintendent to another.

“Providence is in its sixth year of intervention and this is the fourth superintendent in a short period of time,” Krieger said. “Both Peter and the mayor are concerned about stability and transition issues. There are many good people in the central office. Peter wants to make sure that they are encouraged to stay.”

-- Journal staff writer Linda Borg

McWalters reassured the mayor that the Providence schools are on the right track, pointing to the recent improvement in elementary and middle school test scores. According to Krieger, the commissioner pledged to work with Providence to help remove some of the barriers that get in the way of student performance.

“There are contract issues that need to be resolved, finance issues, data issues,” Krieger said, adding that McWalters wants to review the results of several studies of the district’s curriculum and the central office.

The state Department of Education has a history of involvement with the city’s schools. Three years ago, McWalters intervened in an effort to turn around Hope High School, breaking the school into three smaller schools. Under his guidance, the school brought in a new leadership team, hired new staff and restored order.

Last January, the state placed the entire district under corrective action and ordered Evans to develop a plan to improve the city’s lowest-performing schools or face possible state intervention. Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, a school district is classified as one in need of corrective action when two of the three grade levels (for example, elementary and middle school) have large numbers of under-performing schools.

In response, Evans introduced a new math curriculum for struggling elementary and middle school students, offered additional reading programs, hired 20 reading teachers and conducted a review of the central office, led by the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. At the middle schools, Evans also promised to create student advisories and offer teachers common planning time.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:50 PM | Permalink

Comments

Providence parents, whatever you do, do not let McWalters have anything to do with picking your next school superintendent. He can't even get a prograsm like the portfolios required for graduation put in place rught. Please let the mayor know that you do not want this person to have any influence in who runs your school department. It will be a complete diseaster if he does.

Steve | March 19, 2008 11:32 PM link

March 19, 2008

McWalters: Let me help select Providence school chief

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