In order to turn around their schools ratings, Central Falls High School in Providence, RI has approved a plan to lay off all of its 88 teachers.
Central Falls is one of the states most troubled schools with 90 percent of its students in poverty, only seven percent proficient in math standards and many struggling with English. In addition, the drop-out rate is extremely high. It is reported that Central Falls loses 52 percent of their students between 9th and 12th grade.
However, this plan does have something positive; half of the teachers may be rehired due to the new governance structure.
Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist said, “I support doing whatever it takes to get the results we need and to do what’s best for the students in Central Falls High School.”
She continued, “I know that there are many great teachers in Central Falls High School. Our goal is to ensure that we have highly effective teachers in every classroom in the school.”
However, many teachers that work for the school do not agree with this decision.
“I’ve been in Central Falls for 28 years, and I’ve done nothing to deserve to be fired. Absolutely nothing. I give my heart and my soul to my job,” Athletic director and math teacher at Central Falls Kathy Luther said.
Lafayette students and staff agree that this decision is extreme.
Foreign Language teacher Gina Luerding-Looten said, “I think that it is ridiculous. I can’t imagine what would prompt a district to take such drastic measures. I can’t imagine that happening here.”
Senior Josh Ackerman said, “I think rebuilding can be good, but to totally reconstruct a school like that, to me, seems like a really bad idea. I don’t think it was right to do this all at once. It would be a better idea to replace teachers in small amounts, but never all at once.
He continued, “If they did this at Lafayette I think it would be a big mistake. We have a great staff that does a great job of teaching the lesson, not only to the students they actually teach, but the whole student and change to our individual needs.”
The 88 staff members of Central Falls were reported to have received their “pink slips” on Tuesday March 2.