Steve Laffey Wants a Voluntary Pilot School Choice Program for Rhode Island

At a press conference this afternoon, Cranston Mayor Steve Laffey, flanked by Cranston School Superintendent Richard Scherza, and State Representatives Joseph Almeida (D-Providence) and James Davey (R-Cranston) announced a plan to initiate a �Voluntary Pilot School Choice Program� that would allow Providence residents to legally attend Cranston schools. The criteria for the program are as follows�

• Children must come from failing districts in Providence.
  
• Accepting school districts can reject students due to a lack of capacity or prior disciplinary problems.
  
• Accepting school systems will be compensated in full and upfront for the cost of education in accordance with three cost categories: regular student, English as a second language, and special education.
  
• Accepting school districts will not be penalized under the No Child Left Behind Act for a reduction in scores for at least two years.

• The grace period would last up to March 10, 2006. Those who come forward won�t be criminally charged. They will be returned to the Providence school system, and Providence will be billed.
  
• High School seniors, whose parents come forward within the timeframe, can finish the year. Providence will be sent the bill for these students as well.
  
• All current criminal charges will be dropped.
  
• If parents don�t come forward by March 10th, they will face criminal charges for filing false documents and a civil action for restitution for the cost of education.
  
• If Providence refuses to pay, Cranston will introduce an amendment to the budget to increase Cranston school aid at the expense of Providence school aid.

Mayor Laffey's presentation is available here.