A teacher at the Times² Academy in Providence who sent a letter to school leaders and elected officials expressing concerns about recent changes made to the curriculum -- and performance -- of the public charter school has been placed on administrative leave, following his issuing of the communication.
Charles Johnson, who has taught at Times² for fifteen years and currently has his own children in the school's high school, said he has been raising issues regarding changes to classes and outcomes at the school to members of the community, but has gotten no response.
"These changes to our school do not align with the mission of Times 2 Academy nor with the original charter of our school. These changes were made without any vetting or “academic due process”, without any committee, discussion panel of parents, or panel of teachers," wrote Johnson. "There was no academic group convened to discuss the ramifications of these changes. It is perplexing to understand how anyone could rationalize how these changes would benefit the student body of Times 2 Academy."
Johnson detailed a number of recent moves made by the school, which he said included the elimination of AP classes, field trips, and extracurricular activities, as well as relaxation of the school's dress code and ban on electronics.
"I've been raising the flag since they made study hall a class," said Johnson. "I was told at the beginning of the year to keep a low profile. However when I sent this letter out -- to school department officials and elected officials, none of whom got back to me -- I was placed on administrative leave."
Academics, Administrative Issues Broached
According to its website, Times² (Times squared ) STEM Academy is a "K-12 accredited charter public school committed to improve mathematics, engineering and science studies for urban youth in Providence, Rhode Island."
"Through a tremendous amount of hard work by the students, faculty and staff we were awarded the Presidential Bronze Star of Education in 2008 and ranked the 8th best high school in Rhode Island," said Johnson. "The award made all of us very proud to hear our level of academic excellence mentioned with the likes of prestigious long standing private schools in Rhode Island. Times 2 Academy began as an after school program and flourished into a K-12 school. To reach that level of academic success took years of dedication from everyone."
Johnson wrote in his letter that since then, there has been a decline in test scores and "rigor in academic standards."
Johnson argues that academics and test scores have gone down at the school; school officials counter his letter is "inaccurate."
"In regards to our Board of Directors, we (teachers) requested a copy of the school charter and we were told 'it was missing'. We were forced to request a copy through the Freedom of Information Act," said Johnson. "We found that our Board is not following many of the legal guidelines, most importantly being; the legal make-up of the members on the Board. The Board does not have the required number of teachers, parents and students. It would seem fitting that all of the changes made be reversed if they were not done properly."
School officials countered the allegations made by Johnson in the letter.
"The letter you reference and are inquiring about with our Board Chair and others is unfortunately heavy with misinformation and inaccuracies. For example, the Times2 Board is cognizant of and takes seriously its responsibilities to govern the school, and makes every effort to comply with these responsibilities; and does so," wrote Times2 Director Jerry Kowalcyzk in a statement. "It is in compliance both with respect to membership and postings, etc."
"While we indeed have a Board of Directors, Times2 STEM Academy is a Providence district charter public school, making our teachers in fact Providence Public School District employees," continued Kowalcyzk. "The letter from Mr. Johnson has been addressed by PPSD and now relates to a confidential personnel matter."
Johnson said that he hoped that the school would go back to its "original policies" that resulted in its Presidential Bronze Star.
"We're cutting AP classes, we don't have after school programs. We used to have tutors from Brown and Providence College, no more. We were the first school to ban electronics, and now that's been been reversed," said Johnson. "Were parents even informed of these changes? We used to be the alternative for kids who didn't go to Classical. And none of our elected officials have expressed any concern."
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