When in doubt, blame the teachers

Charter Schools Expand Rapidly in Central Falls

By Diane Ravitch

Remember Central Falls? That is the small district in Rhode Island where the superintendent Frances Gallo decided to fire every staff member at the high school in spring 2010 because of low test scores.

Gallo got the support of State Commissioner Deborah Gist, and the firings got the approval of Arne Duncan, who was supported by President Obama.

The Rhode Island firing squad was hailed as heroes, even though none of the fired staff had been individually evaluated. The firings set the stage for the national conversation about “reform,” and reflected Duncan’s belief that the first step in reform was to fire everyone and start over.

That fall, “Waiting for Superman” was released with a mammoth publicity campaign about bad teachers, failing public schools, and amazing charter schools.

Central Falls has now become a magnet for charter schools. Superintendent Gallo welcomes them, as does the mayor. One-third of the students in the district are enrolled in charters, and more are on the way.

“A nonprofit organization backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is spending $7.5 million to buy and renovate a former Catholic school for the Blackstone Valley Prep Mayoral Academy.

“The group, Civic Builders, of New York City, has purchased the former St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy on Lonsdale Avenue. According to Civic Builders, the sale will provide a permanent home for BVP’s middle school while helping the Holy Spirit Parish pay for improvements to its buildings….

“Roughly a third of Central Falls’ students attend a charter school. But rather than view charters as a threat, Central Falls Supt. Frances Gallo welcomes the diversity of choices they offer.

“Blackstone Valley Prep has proven itself as a model of academic success,” she said. “Don’t we want what’s best for our kids?”

The success of charter schools such as BVP is linked to a longer school day and setting high expectations, Gallo said, noting that homework is mandatory.

“It’s not because our teachers can’t compete,” Gallo said.

“These kids get only one shot at an education,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “It’s important that if parents feel strongly about a school, they can go. We welcome the almost 400 students, teachers and staff to Central Falls, more than 100 of whom call our community home.”

Not everyone was happy to see charters picking off students and resources from their public schools.

“Because of its size, Blackstone Valley Prep has come under criticism from some surrounding districts, which fear the charters will siphon limited resources from district-run public schools.

“We have way too many charters serving the Central Falls area,” said Jane Sessums, president of the Central Falls Teachers Union. “But we have a mayor and superintendent who have supported charter schools. That sends the wrong message to parents.”

Sessums said Gallo and Diossa “should be advocating for our public schools.”

“The nonprofit also has access to New Market Tax Credits, a program set up by the IRS to encourage development in needy communities such as Central Falls.” These tax credits enable investors to double their money in seven years.