Chafee to explore creation of mayoral academy

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee sees potential benefits in creating a mayoral academy in the city run by Achievement First.
In a letter to the R.I. Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education last week, Chafee said he will travel to New Haven, Conn., to learn more about Achievement First’s charter schools there. Chafee sent the letter dated Aug. 31 before the board soundly rejected Achievement First’s application to open a network of public charter schools serving students in Cranston and Providence. That proposal had drawn strong opposition in Cranston.
In his letter, Chafee said a school in Providence could also draw students from surrounding communities and could play a part in ongoing education-reform efforts.
He said he would request state and city school officials and elected leaders to explore the possibility of creating such a school in Providence. &#8226