School superintendent: No evidence grades were inflated to let students graduate

PROVIDENCE – Supt. Javier Montañez said there is no clear evidence that educators inflated high school credits to allow students to graduate.

In a statement Wednesday, Montañez accused Providence School Board member Ty'Relle Stephens of making inflammatory accusations about credit inflation Tuesday night before the district's internal investigation is complete.

"This is exactly the kind of behavior that has been holding our schools back for years – adults fighting with adults over personal grudges and for personal gain while our students suffer," Montañez wrote.

"Broadcasting unsubstantiated allegations based on rumor and innuendo, while those allegations are being actively investigated, is incredibly reckless and irresponsible," he said. "There is good reason that organizations do not comment on investigations while they are underway. Commenting encourages a rush to judgement and impedes efforts to uncover the facts."

Stephens told the K-12 council Tuesday that about two dozen students received credit for as much as three years’ worth of high school in just four to six weeks.

Speaking before the Council of Elementary and Secondary Education, Stephens said students took four years of English in four to six weeks, and some completed Algebra 1 and 2, pre-calculus and geometry during that same period.

He alleged that Joan Jackson, senior aide to Montañez, was the point person for this credit-recovery project.

'A diploma that’s not worth the paper it’s printed on'

“I question her coming into the district, giving black and brown students a diploma that’s not worth the paper it’s printed on, pushing students into the real world (who are) not college and career ready, ” Stephens told the council.

Previous reporting: Providence School Board member calls for investigation of bogus high school credits

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“This screams institutional racism and oppression,” he said. “As a School Board member, I will not stand for this.”

Both the state Department of Education and the Providence school department are looking into allegations of credit inflation that allowed high school students to graduate with as many as 15 credits in two months. They have declined to discuss details of the investigation with the Journal.

Montañez said Stephens’ comments cast doubt on the work of specific students and school staff without any proof that they deserve it.

"I take Mr. Stephens’ allegations with the utmost seriousness," Montañez wrote. "This matter is being investigated thoroughly. I stand by my staff until there is verified evidence of wrongdoing. I want it made clear that no such evidence exists at this time.

"I can no longer stay silent while this kind of behavior continues to undermine the hard work of so many educators and students.”

Previous reporting: Providence School Board member calls for investigation of bogus high school credits

Civics education: RI outlines steps to strengthen curriculum in response to lawsuit

When questioned by the Journal two weeks ago, Kinzel Thomas, president of the Providence School Board, said he “became aware of allegations of inappropriate credits awards on July 20. My colleague and I went directly to the commissioner with our concerns and are awaiting the results of RIDE's internal investigation.”

Questions council member wants answered

Tuesday night, Colleen Callahan, a member of the K-12 council, expressed her concerns about the allegations and asked that the investigation answer the following questions:

• How many credits did students have before they entered the program?

• What credits did they earn?

• How was this accomplished?

“Credit recovery is very important,” Callahan said, adding that she wants to know that "these students got a diploma that means something.”

Montañez promised to provide the council with the results of the investigation no matter where it leads. He also said that he stands behind his teachers “100%.”

Stephens on Tuesday called on the council to conduct its own “impartial” investigation.

Two weeks ago, in a letter to state education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, Stephens called for an independent probe into the allegations.

“Graduation inflation misrepresents data and directly harms students,” Stephens wrote. “We are Rhode Island’s capital and we should have a school system that we should be proud of. Given the lack of transparency and clarity around this process, I earnestly request that you carry out the following. ...”

The letter also was sent to Gov. Dan McKee, Sen. Louis DiPalma, chairman of the Senate Oversight Committee, and Patricia DiCenso, chairwoman of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.

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Credit requirements for high school students to graduate

Students need 20 credits to graduate, but there are opportunities for students who are not on track to make up credits either virtually or in person, both after school and during the summer. Several years ago, a separate program was established to help over-age and under-credited students catch up.

Here is what you need to earn a diploma: Four years of English and math and at least three of science and social studies/history.

The regulations were last revised six years ago when there was more of an emphasis on students showing proficiency on standardized tests.

The Department of Education, however, is revising its high school graduation requirements. Those regulations won't take effect until the Class of 2027.

The proposed regulations would shift graduation requirements away from standardized tests to an emphasis on college preparation.

Instead of four math courses, the new regulations state that students must take Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and geometry.

The regulations still call for three science courses, but they now must include two lab sciences – again, to prepare students for college.

Students also will be required to demonstrate proficiency in civics and computer science beginning with the Class of 2027 and financial literacy beginning with the Class of 2024.

Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence investigates claim that students were given shortcut to graduation