We-Can RI releases report on Achievement First's record

Providence, Rhode Island – February 2, 2012 – At a press conference held today with several state and local officials, Councilman Bryan Principe released a report that outlines issues and research about Achievement First (AF) that counters some of the charter operator's boldest claims about academic performance, its ability to serve high need students, and its so-called "joyful" zero tolerance discipline model.

Principe and a team of Providence parents and education advocates created the report to help balance what they state has been a less than fair debate, and to provide access to comprehensive research-backed information that has not been forthcoming from AF and its lobbyists (RI-CAN, Rhode Island Mayoral Academies, Democrats for Education Reform, Bill Fischer), nor from RIDE or Commissioner Deborah Gist.

The group cites links to primary sources used in their research.

Among its in-depth reviews of issues and evidence, the AF information packet includes data supporting AF’s record of significantly under-serving English Language Learners, special education students and other high need populations; the potential damaging impact of AF’s zero tolerance discipline model; and stunning testimonies from a former AF parent and an employee.

Senators Paul Jabour and Harold Metts, with Councilman Principe and other state and local officials, held a press conference this morning to announce their request to the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education to postpone a vote on the proposed Achievement First Mayoral Academies application. The request for a delay was made in part to allow more time to review this new information on AF.

The list of elected officials now publicly opposed to the Achievement First application includes 16 State Representatives, 6 State Senators, 7 Providence City Council members, the North Providence Town Council, the Cranston City Council President and other members, and the school committees of Cranston, North Providence and Warwick.

Click here to DOWNLOAD the We-Can RI Achievement First report!