by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-3
One of our nation’s most significant challenges has been providing a high-quality public education that serves all children, and this challenge has been particularly acute in our urban communities.
Over decades the Providence Public Schools have invested in changes — new curriculum, new professional development, new schools, new tests — yet has failed to significantly shift outcomes. Close to half of our students perform below proficiency in math and English, and about half of our high school students missed at least 10% of the last school year.
So why has our district, and so many others, under-performed for so long? I would argue that our public education system is built on a foundation of deep, systemic oppression that cannot be addressed with an isolated approach. The structure of public education in the United States has systematically disenfranchised students of color, students with disabilities, students from low-income backgrounds and students who are English language learners. The system that holds the promise of uniting people from diverse communities in an informed democracy has instead sorted students into increasingly divided groups of “haves” and “have-nots.”
As a proud graduate of the Providence public schools and a mother of two children of color in the district, I am ready for change and optimistic about talk of bold action. We need to shake up the entrenched bureaucracy that is holding our schools back. But I am apprehensive about the state taking control of our schools when they lack a demonstrated understanding of our urban communities, their strengths and their needs. For years our state has neglected the urban core, only stepping in for temporary relief without sustainable progress. I know, because I was there.
My parents sent five children through eight Providence public schools, and two of us completed college. As an undocumented immigrant, English language learner, and lead poisoning survivor, study after study suggests I should not be successful. I worked hard, I had parents and teachers who believed in me, and I benefited from resources in and outside of the classroom — programs, people, opportunities — that helped me navigate all kinds of obstacles.
The dire statistics and inspiring mentors are in part what motivated me to study education policy and to run for city council. I am delighted to hear so many voices saying it is time to do right by our schools, but it remains to be seen if we really mean it.
I am already apprehensive about the prospects for real change because plans are being made without the public. The system has systematically failed our kids — my kids — sowing deep mistrust. The way to build enduring change is through a culture that embraces the realities of daily life for our children and families. The way to build enduring change is through transparency and shared trust. The way to build enduring change is by helping students, families and teachers lead.
In example after example nationally, urban district takeovers are top-down, driven by outside experts, and almost universally fail. Separating students, teachers, and families from authority, governance and expertise will limit our success. We have all seen temporary spikes in test scores. The reason our schools continue to fail is that no one has taken the bold step of building long-term community leadership. Providence, with its incredible strengths, could be the first, but only if we set aside short-term political fixes for transparency and true engagement.
Throughout the city, I’ve heard people worry that this process will prioritize politics, not children. They are worried that the plan is being formed behind closed doors.
We cannot deliver a high-quality education for our students if we fail to address the systemic ways that students, families and teachers have been disenfranchised by a public education system that should help them thrive. We should welcome bold action, but not without bold accountability for the people the system serves.
As submitted to the Providence Journal and published online on Wednesday, September 4, 2019
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Officers Nicholas O’Malley and Shaolin Herr introduce themselves to Councilman and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci on their beat in Ward 4!
I am thrilled to welcome the members of the Providence Police Department who today began foot patrols in the North End of Providence.
Having a police presence in our community not only helps to discourage crime, but it also allows neighbors to meet the men and women who have sworn to protect them.
As the Councilman that serves the North End, I am very glad to have spent some time today with Officers Nicholas O’Malley and Shaolin Herr. I look forward to seeing them around our neighborhood.
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Today, I sent a letter to Commissioner Infante-Green expressing that the City Council would not be issuing any “Show-Cause Materials,” and have instead provided a Notice of Non-Opposition.
Below is a copy of that letter:
September 4, 2019
Angélica Infante-Green, Commissioner
Rhode Island Department of Education
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
RE: Notice of Non-Opposition
Dear Commissioner Infante-Green,
I’d like to start off by commending you for the attention you’ve brought our City’s public-school system this summer. As the Commissioner of Education for the entire state, you’ve made our schools a priority and my City Council colleagues and I appreciate that.
This entire process started a few months ago with the devastating John Hopkins report that among other things, detailed the horrific conditions our students and teachers sometimes have to endure in our schools. While it is true that the academic underperformance and the aging condition of our facilities shouldn’t have come to a surprise to anyone, the reported bullying, abuse, lack of supports, and hopelessness shared by staff and students did cause a shock. The school culture across our city is broken and because of this our students and teachers suffer.
This summer I sat in all but one RIDE Community Forum and listened to parent after parent share stories about students getting bullied, students not receiving proper special education services, or that they sat in empty classrooms with no permanent teachers. A lot of these parents shared these experiences with tears streaming down their faces; relieved that this forum finally allowed them a venue to be listened to. I also heard teacher after teacher share their frustrations about an everchanging curriculum, being forced into roles with little professional development, enduring building conditions that are making them sick, and not being supported with the most challenging students in their classrooms.
The raw emotion and pain in all of their voices is indicative of a school system desperately crying out for help. This isn’t a school system that can afford to begrudgingly accept intervention, is one that needs to embrace it fully if it’s going to succeed.
Commissioner, I’m reminded of a quote you kept referring to in all of these meetings: that everyone wants change until change comes. What’s happening in our school system amounts to an emergency or a crisis and we don’t have the luxury of stalling the first responders who are knocking on our door.
I share most of the same concerns as some of my colleagues who have gone on record asking for community input, transparency, and accountability. I also have questions of my own: like who’s on the hook if the district goes over budget? Who’s responsible for raising revenue? Who’s liable in legal matters? Who makes the call for a snow day?
Yet, I’m reminded that this transition won’t be easy and that your office won’t be able to do it all alone. This letter isn’t a letter of objection, but a letter offering the extension of support. How can we as the Council leverage our institutional knowledge and community networks to help this intervention succeed? Do you need help identifying relevant stakeholders? Can we help you develop a metric system that measures success beyond just test scores?
The City Council is determined not to sit on the sidelines throughout this process. This is far too important and these unanswered questions are ones we can help find answers to.
I look forward to our continued dialogue and I am hopeful that by working collaboratively we’ll create a better school system deserving of our students and their families.
Sincerely,
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Uncategorized
Council Non-Opposition Order
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release
Non-Opposition Letter – CP
by Billy Kepner | Sep 4, 2019 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
I am devastated to learn that a 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in Donigian Park last night. Our city parks are meant to be refuges from city living, and a place of safety and comfort for kids and adults alike. Assault of any kind can have long-standing and devastating impacts on victims, and this is why every April I introduce a Resolution recognizing April as” Sexual Assault Awareness Month”.
I have been informed by the Providence Police Department that the victim and her family are being assisted by counselors from Day One and I am grateful to them, and for all they do to help victims of sexual assault. It is especially important for young people to seek help after an assault, as the silence only serves to do more harm than good. For reference, I would lead you to a compelling article from The New Yorker entitled “The Silence: The Legacy of Childhood Trauma” by Junot Díaz.
I along with my colleagues am keeping this brave young woman in our prayers, and I am thankful that her brother and friends acted so quickly and that the police were on the scene so quickly.
Sexual assault is pervasive in the United States and the statistics from Day One are startling:
- Every two minutes, somewhere in our country, some is sexually assaulted.
- 44% of rape victims are under the age of 18, and 80% are under the age of 30.
- 59% of sexual assaults go unreported.
- One in five women will experience an attempted or completed rape while in college.
Sexual assault in Rhode Island:
- One in eight women have been sexually assaulted during their lifetime.
- Close to 9% of high school students reported that they had experienced sexual violence by someone they were dating or going out with in the last 12 months.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault there are services that can help:
Day One: Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center
401-421-4100
Hasbro Child Protection Program
401-444-3996
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1-800-494-8100
Sojourner House
401-765-3232
Women’s Center of Rhode Island
401-867-2760
Woman & Infants Center for Women’s Medicine Follow-Up Clinic
401-453-7950
