Senator Jack Reed said while further military attacks between the U.S. and Iran appear unlikely in the immediate future, escalating tensions and recent events have further damaged America’s reputation in the region. “It represents a situation in which our security position and our presence in the region has been diminished,” Reed said in an interview […]
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
Posted inArticle, Education
Despite Efforts To Increase Teacher Diversity, Solutions Won’t Be Quick Or Simple
For the next five years, the state is in charge of the Providence School District and one of the most significant challenges it will face is diversifying the teacher workforce. Most of the teachers are white, and most of the students are students of color. For decades, no one has come up with a way […]
Posted inArticle, Education
On The List For Improving Providence Schools: Tackling Teacher Diversity
Research has shown that in increasingly diverse school systems, students of color do better when their teachers look like them and share their cultural backgrounds. In Providence, about 90 percent of the students are black or Hispanic, but about 80 percent of the teaching staff is white. These percentages have remained essentially unchanged for at […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence Interim Superintendent Stepping Down Friday
Providence interim Superintendent Fran Gallo is leaving her position after about five months leading the state’s largest district. Gallo stepped in as full-time interim superintendent after the departure of former head Chris Maher. Gallo helped prepare the district for the current school year, after the release of a highly critical report from Johns Hopkins University. […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Parties In Rhode Island Civics Lawsuit Expected In Court This Week
Rhode Island students who say their public education failed to teach them about elections, government, and the legal system are expected in court this week. A year ago, about a dozen local public school students sued the state, alleging a lack of civics instruction violates their constitutional right to an education. The group made national […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Providence Teachers Union Head Says Group Ready For Contract Negotiations
The head of Providence Teachers Union says they’re ready to renegotiate their contract, which is up after the end of the current school year. This contract will be the first negotiated under the state education commissioner Angelica Infante-Green who now controls the district. According to Providence Teachers Union head Maribeth Calabro, some initial conversations have […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Could A New Charter School Move The Needle For Students Learning English?
The state board of elementary and secondary education appears poised to grant preliminary approval for a new charter school in Providence. The board heard a presentation from the group looking to open the school during their meeting Tuesday. The school would be run through Roger Williams University and housed inside their Providence Campus. Roger Williams […]
Posted inArticle, Education
Accountability Results Identify 22 RI Schools For Turnaround Plans, Half In Providence
25 schools in Rhode Island are required by federal law to make plans for substantial changes to improve. Those schools are the lowest performing five percent in the state, as identified in annual ratings released Thursday.
Posted inArticle, Business
Following Report On Gas Outage, Leaders Push For Reforms
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and Newport lawmakers want National Grid to pay for future problems that lead to a loss of heat or electricity. Elected officials say Rhode Island has no way to fine National Grid or any utility in cases where company failures cause power outages for residents. State regulators faulted National Grid for the weeklong loss of heat in Newport in January. But […]
Posted inArticle, Education
State Takeover Of Providence Schools Begins
The state takeover of the Providence Schools began Friday with few details for the ambitious plan to turnaround the faltering district. Months after announcing plans to intervene, the unprecedented state takeover started gently. State education commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said there will be few noticeable changes in the classrooms during the early stages of the takeover. […]
