Obama cites RI school firings as proof of need for accountability in school performance
By Ray Henry, APMonday, March 1, 2010
Obama cites RI school firings in education speech
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — President Barack Obama says a Rhode Island school that recently fired all its educators is an example of how there needs to be accountability.
He made the comments Monday in Washington at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He called for “accountability” if a school continually fails its students without improvement.
He said that is what happened at Central Falls High School, where the school district’s board of trustees voted last week to fire 93 teachers, administrators and other staff. No more than half could be hired back under federal law.
Obama pointed out that just 7 percent of students at the high school have tested proficient in math.
Leaders of the American Federation of Teachers say it’s easy for leaders to scapegoat teachers but that it doesn’t help them or students.
Tags: Barack Obama, North America, Primary And Secondary Education, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
