Governor: State takeover of Providence schools is an option

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo isn’t ruling out the possibility of the state taking over Providence schools.

The Democrat on Monday told WPRO-AM that “everything has to be on the table” after a review of the city’s education system, including a state takeover.

She says it isn’t time to tinker because the system is broken and major changes are needed. Most Providence school students didn’t meet expectations on standardized tests last year.

Raimondo, in consultation with the new education commissioner, called on the state education department last week to commission a review to identify the causes of the district’s challenges and identify ways to improve student achievement.

Raimondo says it’s still early so she doesn’t know what will happen, but “it’s time to be bold.”