Providence School Board to discuss graduation inflation accusations

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence School Board is scheduled to hold a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss graduation inflation accusations against the district.

Earlier this summer, School Board member Ty’Relle Stephens submitted a complaint saying that some students had credits on their transcripts that they had not earned.

Stephens sent a letter to Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green about the accusations on Aug. 5.

“Graduation inflation misrepresents data, and directly harms students. We are Rhode Island’s capital, and we should have a school system that we should be proud of,” the letter read.

Providence Superintendent Javier Montañez released a statement last month, responding to Stephens’ accusations, saying in part, “The inflammatory statements by Mr. Stephens during last night’s meeting of the Council of Elementary and Secondary Education are 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 added that he believes it was reckless and irresponsible for Stephens to broadcast the allegations while an investigation was in progress, but added that the accusations are being taken serious and that the matter is thoroughly being investigated.

“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,” the superintendent concluded.

On Tuesday, the School Board will discuss the findings of the investigation into Stephens’ accusations. The Providence Public School’s General Counsel looked into the grades of certain recent graduates of Mount Pleasant High School by  A-Venture Academy’s program for over-age, under-credited students, according to the meeting agenda.

Stephens told ABC 6 News that he will not be able to attend Tuesday’s meeting.