TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Ten district and charter schools in New Bedford have been designated as segregated in a new report from the state education department’s Racial Imbalance Advisory Council. Segregation in schools is not new for New Bedford, but in the 1970s and 80s, there were […]
Education
Posted inEducation, Local, Metro Desk
Brown reaches agreement to resolve complaint alleging antisemitism
Brown University reached an agreement with federal education officials to resolve a complaint over alleged antisemitism on campus, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said on Monday. The DOE received a complaint in December 2023 alleging violations of the federal law that bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin — […]
Posted inEducation, Housing, Local, Politics
Providence Mayor Smiley to education critics: we made ‘as much progress as we can afford to make this year’
TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: All right, let’s get into education. I didn’t know this; I learned, it was about 25 years ago when a new consensus emerged on the need to improve Providence schools. And then, of course, five years ago, the state takes control of the […]
Posted inEducation, Shoreline Access, The Weekly Catch
Mayor Smiley on his plan for struggling Providence schools, a fight over shoreline access heats up in Weekapaug, and more
There’s a growing anticipation as to when the state of Rhode Island will hand over control of Providence schools back to the district. Mayor Brett Smiley says that the city and the district need at least another year. We’ll ask him what he believes needs to happen before that transfer of power. Also, we hear about one of the state’s most hotly-contested battles over shoreline access – all centered around a tiny patch of coastline in Westerly. Plus, a look back on the week in Rhode Island politics, and a studio session with Providence hot jazz band Paper Moon. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inEducation, Local
‘There’s a lot of work to be done’: Education Commissioner to review if Providence should regain control of its schools
TRANSCRIPT: Five years ago, the state took control of the Providence Public School District after a report from Johns Hopkins University showed poor academic performance and a toxic environment for staff and students. Has the district improved on those issues? Is it ready to take back its schools? The state plans to evaluate the district’s […]
Posted inEducation, Local
With censorship on the rise, Providence librarian says Rhode Island needs to do more to protect libraries
TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Cheryl, first of all, thank you so much for joining me today. Cheryl Space: Thank you. Hernandez: The Senate approved legislation that would allow libraries to acquire books and other materials without limitations and protect libraries against any attempt to ban or censor […]
Posted inEducation, Local
‘You love these kids like they’re your own children,’ says Providence Teacher of the Year
TRANSCRIPT: This transcript was edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: Each year, the Providence Public School District presents one of its own with the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award. This year’s awardee is Rachel Greenberg, who teaches at Bailey Elementary School, and she joins me now. Rachel, first of all, welcome and congratulations. […]
Posted inEducation, Local
Expiring COVID relief funding prompts dozens of job cuts at Providence School District
Dozens of Providence school teachers are losing their jobs. District officials say 56 non-tenured educators will not have their contracts renewed next year because of financial constraints caused by expiring COVID relief funding. Providence Teachers Union president Maribeth Calabro says the district should have done more to find an alternative funding source to support the […]
Posted inEducation, Health, Local
Child poverty is down but disparities remain, according to Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook
Transcript: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: There’s some good news and some bad news in a new report that examines how Rhode Island children are doing when it comes to safety, education, health and economic well-being. The Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook shows that, overall, child poverty is down, […]
Posted inEducation, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Students strike a deal at Brown, roots of militarized police response to college protests, and more
Pro-Palestine demonstrations have cropped up on university campuses around the country, leading in some cases to arrests and clashes with police. But Brown University students and administrators this week reached a peaceful conclusion. We hear from two students about how it happened. Also, violence between cops and student protestors may seem familiar to those who witnessed the campus unrest of the 60s and other eras. But today’s militarized police response to protests at Columbia and other colleges has its roots in post-9/11 policies. Plus, we hear about a biography on one of the most influential American artists of the past 50 years: Keith Haring. That and more coming on this episode of The Weekly Catch.
