Teachers union: We're ready to work with state

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PROVIDENCE — Less than a week after the State granted the Department of Education control of Providence schools, the Providence Teachers Union issued a report Monday declaring its willingness to work with the state on reform.

"While we may disagree with some aspects of what has transpired in the last two months, let’s be crystal clear," the report states. "The PTU — after extensive review of the Johns Hopkins

Institute for Education Policy’s report on the Providence Public School District, and after participating in all the listening sessions held by Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green — is committed to partnering with the state to improve Providence Public Schools for all children."

"The spirit and the structure of any state plan must recognize that teachers and school staff are part of the solution, not a problem to be overcome," it reads. "While teachers and our union have much to contribute and a great eagerness to contribute it, the State of Rhode Island has the ultimate responsibility for the success of this plan."

The Department of Education's decision to seek control of Providence schools — a move supported by Mayor Jorge Elorza — came in the wake of a damning report that highlighted a culture of low discipline, low expectations, low communication and low learning that permeated the district.

The union included in the report six recommendations on reforms including: tackling chronic absenteeism among teachers with a plan that takes into account individual circumstances, increasing the number of educators of color in Providence schools through partnerships with local universities, integrating community members into everyday work at schools to address issues of cultural competency, a better communication system among stakeholders, a union-sponsored professional-development series that includes workshops focused on trauma and historical trauma, and standardized behavioral norms for schools.

The report concluded with an appeal for cooperation among all those with an interest in the schools.

Infante-Green issued the following statement: 

“As we learned from the RICAS results, Johns Hopkins report and public forums, the Providence Public School District is a broken system. It will take all of us working together to fix it, and teachers must and should be a part of that collaborative effort. We understand that this announcement makes it clear that teachers are committed to working with parents, students, community groups and others to be a part of lasting change that helps all Providence students. I welcome that commitment.”

The union statement said, "The PTU is committed to working with all stakeholders to address the many issues facing our school system to ensure that all our children receive the high-quality education they deserve in our Providence public schools," it said. "That work must begin today."Included in the report are four guiding principles asking the state to make sure that teachers are consulted on any reforms."