The hard lessons of the Providence schools takeover

Rhode Island’s state takeover of Providence schools will conclude on July 1, 2026, as control returns to Mayor Brett Smiley and the city’s School Board following approval by the state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. The transition marks the end of a seven-year intervention initiated in 2019 after a Johns Hopkins University review criticized the district’s performance, prompting Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green to lead sweeping reforms. The takeover faced early resistance as political support waned, particularly after Infante-Green’s confrontational approach clashed with elected officials and the Providence Teachers Union. By 2020, tensions escalated when she warned of drastic measures if no agreement was reached with teachers, deepening distrust on both sides. The state ultimately removed former superintendent Harrison Peters in 2021 amid ongoing disputes. Unforeseen challenges derailed initial plans, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Gina Raimondo’s departure for the Biden administration in 2021. Raimondo, a key ally for reform, was replaced by Governor Dan McKee, whose approach prioritized collaboration over conflict, shifting the dynamic with labor unions. The pandemic forced a pivot from reform efforts to managing remote learning, mask mandates, and classroom reopenings, further complicating progress. Critics argue the takeover’s impact remains unclear, with reforms overshadowed by political battles and external crises. Supporters acknowledge the difficulty of implementing change amid resistance, while opponents cite the state’s heavy-handed methods and strained relationships with educators. The transition back to local control raises questions about Providence’s ability to sustain improvements without continued state oversight.