The application for Race to the Top continues to remain one that NEARI can not support. There are numerous points in the document to contest, but the fact that evaluations would be based 51% on test scores and the push for the growth of charter schools and especially mayoral academies is offensive to our members who work so hard every day on behalf of Rhode Island's children. It is stated right in the application that one of the benefits to the mayoral academy is that it does not have to follow the law, especially regarding pensions. It is a move by RIDE to make public education in Rhode Island more private.
Even more offensive, is that the commissioner and some members of RIDE are calling some local union presidents and lobbying them to sign on. Maybe if we all could actually have a copy of the document, we would be able to compare what is being said with what is actual in it.