City council: scale back Achievement First

The Providence City Council’s Education Subcommittee has released draft findings after a series of meetings on Achievement First, the charter operator looking to open two elementary schools in the capitol city.

The report finds that Achievement First would have a negative financial impact on Providence schools, to the tune of between $6 million and $9 million. That’s even after a projected $1 million savings from teacher layoffs due to a reduction in student body.

“Under this scenario, we would expect Providence to have to close an elementary school as a result of the opening of the proposed pair of Mayoral academies,” the report says. “This would be particularly difficult after the experience the District had last Spring of closing four schools and repurposing two others.”

Despite this, the group is recommending that Achievement First get a green light for one elementary school, but not two as their application currently envisions.

“While supporting the opening of the first AF school on schedule, we also recommend postponing the opening of the second school for an additional three years,” the report states. “During that time, the AF school can win the support of parents and provide the Providence Public Schools with a better opportunity to prepare for the changes that the opening might bring.”

The report is mixed when it comes to Achievement First’s educational model. The authors note that Achievement First schools ask a lot of their students. According to the charter operator’s presentation, the daily schedule includes 75 minutes of reading… before breakfast. The schools also provide more than six hours of instruction, including three hours and fifteen minutes of literacy, and that’s just before lunch. Achievement First says its common for their students to fall asleep during school before they get used to the schedule.

“[W]e suspect there may be some self-selection among AF’s students, as it is possible that not every parent will embrace a program this demanding,” the authors write.

However, the authors also admire the way Achievement First teachers accept a longer school day as a condition of their employment, noting that the school day is eight hours and 45 minutes, compared to just six hours and five minutes in Providence Schools – something the district has long sought to change.

“[A]an AF school could provide the Providence Public Schools with some helpful ideas, supported by actual practice, in how to raise student achievement and narrow the achievement gap,” the report says. “It also could provide parents with choice, and an incentive for the Providence Public School to try new approaches…”

Ultimately, the State Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education will decide the fate of the Achievement First proposal. The board wrapped up a series of two hearings on the charter schools last night.