Broad grads come under scrutiny
Rhode Island’s own Deborah Gist and outgoing Providence Schools chief Tom Brady are both mentioned in this article about graduates of the Broad Superintendent’s Academy.
Critics of the academy contend that its graduates favor business-based leadership tactics that “weaken teachers’ job protections, cut parents out of decisionmaking, and introduce unproven reform measures.”
Graduates defend the program, saying it exposes students to a variety of viewpoints and is not part of some conspiracy for a corporate takeover of public education.
“There wasn’t any Kool-Aid that was passed out at graduation,” Brady tells Education Week.
The soon-to-be-former Providence Superintendent says some observers may be conflating the Broad Foundation’s philanthropy work, which includes promoting controversial measures like merit pay for teachers, with the superintendent training program.
Education Week’s review of six district’s with long-standing Broad alums at their helms found mixed results on raising reading and math scores.
