Tonight is the second public hearing to discuss the possible creation of the Achievement First Mayoral Academy, which would be part of a charter network that has seen huge success in closing the achievement gap in New York and Connecticut.
At the last public hearing, a a lot of misconceptions surfaced about how the creation of this charter school would affect the Cranston and Providence districts. One of the biggest rumors has to do with funding: the argument is that creating this new school would suck money away from the rest of the public schools in the area. But thanks to the new school funding formula passed last year, that's not the case. The creation of the Achievement First Mayoral Academy would in no way affect the per-pupil funding of Cranston's existing public schools.
What the Achievement First school would do is help meet the huge demand by Rhode Island families for more school options. At Paul Cuffee School in Providence, for example, over 900 families are on the waiting list.
If you are a Cranston or Providence resident, please come and show your support tonight! This is a chance for us to make headway in closing Rhode Island's achievement gap, and we can't miss it. Here are the event details:
What: Achievement First Public comment hearing
Where: Cranston City Hall, 3rd Floor
When: 6:00 pm
We hope to see you tonight!