Education

Mural at Portsmouth High School

The Equity Institute Seeks to Hide Student Surveys in Portsmouth

By Justin Katz | November 2, 2021 |

The level of secrecy and implicit threat against sharing suggests that the Equity Institute and Portsmouth school department know they are skirting a line, whether legal, moral, or political. 

Union head Maribeth Calabro tweets teacher complaints

The attitude of Providence public school employees proves failing students will continue.

By Justin Katz | November 2, 2021 |

In June 2019 — two and a half years ago, when Rhode Island students now in their senior years were finishing their freshman years — the Institute for Education Policy at Johns Hopkins School of Education published a ground-shaking report on systemic failure in the Providence public school system.  The first “challenge” the authors emphasized…

A brutalist building with a "We Care" sign

Politics This Week with John DePetro: A Need for People Who Care

By Justin Katz | November 1, 2021 |

John and Justin review various ways state and local government and officials raise doubts that the public they serve is their central focus.

Mount Hope High School

You must overlook the obvious when activists accuse Bristol Warren schools of racism.

By Justin Katz | November 1, 2021 |

There are two ways a contractor who’s trying to get a job with a public school district can respond when she hears that the school committee did not approve a proposal to hire her.  She can decline to comment and then seek to address the concerns of the hesitant school committee members, both in private…

Richard August and Brian Newberry on State of the State

State of the State: Civics, Black History, and Other Matters

By Richard August | October 31, 2021 |

State Representative Brian Newberry, (R; Burrillville, North Smithfield) joins Richard August to discuss a wide range of legislation and concerns including but not limited to civics and Black history to be taught in RI schools; behind the scene political power struggle; immigration; need for affordable housing; growing state budget; proposed hospital merger and more. Regarding public school curriculum, Newberry encourages parents to become more involved in what is being taught to their children.

2021 RICAS & SAT results

What difference do COVID-related education declines in RI make?

By Justin Katz | October 28, 2021 |

Not to be cynical, but the question of this post’s headline is serious.  I look at the results for students on the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) — with overall proficiency drops from 38% to 33% in English and from 30% to 20% in math — and I think, “So what?”  The same goes…

A water drop and ripples

Student lap dances of Kentucky school employees should result in arrests.

By Justin Katz | October 28, 2021 |

So, yeah… the statement that the school employees involved in this event didn’t know the details is no excuse: The superintendent of Hazard Independent Schools said “appropriate disciplinary action has been taken” after photos surfaced showing students giving lap dances to staff and wearing scant clothing Tuesday as part of Hazard High School’s homecoming week…

An overpass held up by blocks

The General Assembly’s “Recommendation Portal” is misleading in a way that shows RI’s problems.

By Justin Katz | October 28, 2021 |

The Rhode Island General Assembly is calling its page for information about ideas and proposals related to its federal COVID handout the “American Rescue Plan Act State Fiscal Recovery Fund Recommendation Portal.”  The Associated Press article about the portal maintains that framing: Rhode Island’s legislature has created a website to post the proposals it’s receiving…

Children at sunset

Concern about COVID and kids has to be put in perspective.

By Justin Katz | October 26, 2021 |

I read somewhere not long ago that the thing with alcohol isn’t so much that it lowers inhibitions as that it narrows one’s focus.  Having fun in the moment, touching base with your high school friend at 4:00 in the morning, anger at that guy looking at you funny across the bar… these things become…

Edwin Lord Mills A Royal Procession

Politics This Week with John DePetro: Hints of Where the Left Government Is Headed

By Justin Katz | October 25, 2021 |

John and Justin discuss hints and tells in the political news that indicate the future for which RI Democrats are hoping.