Justice Department, Providence schools reach settlement in immigrant students case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The United States Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the Providence Public School District, resolving an investigation into PPSD’s programs for new immigrant English learner students.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island received numerous complaints about civil rights violations at the “Newcomer Academy,” a program designed to accelerate learning to immigrant students ages 17 and over.

Providence schools failed to provide adequate English language instruction to over 200 students at the Newcomer Academy, according to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Rhode Island.

The US Attorney’s office determined that Providence “failed to staff the program with trained and qualified staff and administrators, unnecessarily segregated newcomers, and deprived them of equal opportunities to participate in specialized programs, such as special education and career and technical education.”

PPSD cooperated with the US Attorney’s office’s investigation, and has taken steps to address concerns.

Under the settlement, PPSD has agreed to give all newcomers adequate instruction in English and to properly train qualified teachers for the program.