NOW THAT Massachusetts has begun a new process for redesigning underperforming schools, it is crucial that our state not follow the disgraceful lead of Rhode Island. There, state education officials allowed the Central Falls School District to fire all 93 high school teachers and other staff, choosing to abandon all efforts at collaboration and reasonable dialogue.
We are glad that Central Falls teachers and the district are back at the bargaining table, but that doesn’t undo the damage caused to the reputations of educators and students there. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a better way to discourage excellent teachers from applying to work at that school in the future.
We are gratified that Governor Deval Patrick says that he does not support these destructive tactics. He has often said that education reform should be done with teachers, not to them. We take him at his word, and we plan to hold him to it.
We are committed to reforms to help our lowest-achieving schools, such as a longer school day that includes academic support, enrichment, and more time for teacher collaboration. Demonizing teachers won’t improve achievement, but making them full partners in redesigning struggling schools will truly help Massachusetts students.
Anne Wass
President
Paul Toner
Vice president Massachusetts Teachers Association Boston 
