In the Aug. 30, 2024, episode of “A Lively Experiment,” moderator Jim Hummel and his panelists discussed Rhode Island’s takeover of Providence schools for at least the next three years, and local reaction to Vice President Kamala Harris’ first extended interview since becoming the presidential nominee.
Hummel was joined by Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University; Nick Gorham, a former state representative; and Paige Clausius-Parks of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT.
This discussion has been condensed and edited for clarity. Watch the full episode of “A Lively Experiment” here.
Rhode Island’s education commissioner received approval to extend the state’s takeover of the Providence school district for another three years. The recommendation came after a recent vote by the Providence School Board to end the takeover, which began five years ago.
‘Our kids cannot afford for this to fail’
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he was disappointed by the state’s decision.
Clausius-Parks said she believes the education commission made the right decision.
“The work is not over,” she said. “There needs to be more work and a concrete plan for how to transition the district back to the city.
“If you read the two reports, especially the school works report, it says over and over again the need for more collaboration and clear vision on the government structure,” Clausius-Parks said. “So that, I hope, is going to be the focus of the next few years of this turnaround, is how to create a governing structure so the return to the city is successful.
“Our kids cannot afford for this to fail. We have to do it right so the school board and the city can be successful.”
Schiller said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had an influence, even though the school district remained open.
She added that just catching up put extra pressure on the Providence school district to make reforms.
“They need more time,” Schiller said. “I don’t think they have not been trying. There was a major interruption, adjustment.
“We are all catching up from that, even in ’24.”
Gorham said he could not remember when Providence’s school system was not in crisis.
“It’s been so long. It’s been the burden of Providence. It’s been taken over by the state,” he said. “I don’t think that it’s necessarily that there isn’t a good plan by the state or city.
“I think they do the best they can. I think we have to look at the type of inducements we offer to bring people here.”
Reaction to Harris-Walz sitdown interview
The panelists had definite views about the sitdown interview that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, had on CNN on Aug. 29.
“They said absolutely nothing,” Schiller said. “It was perfect. Do no harm.
“She was more relaxed than I think we have seen Kamala Harris in many years. I think that came through. That’s the vibe she’s sending,” Schiller added. “‘I’m not going to answer specifically but I will be approachable.’”
Schiller said that the pressure on Harris to be perfect, approachable and firm is “enormous.”
“There is a woman running — that is no small thing,” she said. “A woman of color running — no small thing,
“It differs from whether it is a man running. She is dispelling all these priors. So far she has been pitch-perfect.”
Gorham said that Harris has still not been straightforward on some of the issues, wondering “What is she afraid of?”
“Why didn’t she say ‘I am OK with fracking now,’” he said. “She played this game. Just tell us where you stand.
“After that interview, do you have any idea where she stands?”
Clausius-Parks said that she is most concerned about what either Harris or former President Donald Trump would do to help children.
“I’m interested in their vision of the economic policy for kids,” she said. “How are you going to reduce child poverty throughout the country? How will the government support programs we know are good for kids?”
Clausius Parks also wondered what the candidates’ views were on juvenile justice and supporting children in foster care, calling those issues “extremely important.”
“People want to look forward in a campaign, whether it’s Trump or Harris or (Joe Biden) or anyone else,” Schiller said. “People think, ‘What are you gonna do for me next?
“If you relitigate what you did before, it is a waste of breath because you only have a limited attention span. ‘Come with me, I will take you on a better journey.’”
