Central Falls Mayor María Rivera released a report Thursday revealing that years of “systemic failures” have impacted students, families, and educators in the Central Falls Public Schools. According to WJAR, the report, titled “My Heart Is Here: A Community-Centered System Analysis of the Central Falls School District”, shows that students, particularly multilingual and special needs students, have not received sufficient support. Additionally, the district ranks last in Rhode Island across all subjects.
“I am heartbroken by the challenges our students face, but I’m ready to take responsibility and fight for their future,” said Mayor Rivera. The report is based on interviews and listening sessions with educators, students, families, and community members, capturing various perspectives on the issues within the district.
Rivera believes that the path forward involves establishing an advisory board to help secure the future of the district, with an emphasis on restoring local accountability in a sustainable way. The report also proposes creating a stronger support system within the schools to better serve diverse student needs and improve the overall quality of education.
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) acknowledged the district’s historical challenges, noting that Central Falls has faced issues since the early 1990s due to fiscal difficulties. RIDE stated that it has worked with local leaders to improve student outcomes and provide guidance to the district’s leadership. RIDE emphasized that while it provides support to the Central Falls School District, the local Board of Trustees retains traditional school committee powers, which include program oversight, policy-making, and staff management.
