Keith Oliveira | Executive director, R.I. League of Charter Schools
1. You previously served as president of the Providence Public School Board. What made you choose to switch to representing charter schools? I have always been an advocate of high-quality public school options. Public education shouldn’t be an either/or, us versus them, charter versus district proposition. High-quality education can take many forms. I believe Rhode Island students and families deserve a variety of options to find the right public school that meets their educational needs.
2. How will your time in the public sector educate you for this new role? As a state-level administrator with R.I. Department of Education, I learned the authorization process of charters and regulatory parameters; as RIDE’s former legislative liaison, I grew familiar with the politics of charters; and, as president of the Providence School Board, I came to understand the impact of charters on local districts and the value in collaboration.
3. Why do you think charters cause such heated debate in Rhode Island? Charters have always been somewhat controversial … because they present a different model of delivering public education. Charters challenge traditional models of public education where local districts were solely responsible. Consequently, school boards, superintendents, teachers and unions perceive charters as an infringement on their authority and local control. … The more recent dispute surrounding charters has less to do with purpose and value than equitably distributing financial resources.
4. How would you like to see charter expansion occur in Rhode Island? When I recommended charter approvals in RIDE, our approach was a measured growth strategy. We authorized schools at a scale and pace where local school districts could reasonably absorb their fiscal impact. We recognized that politics surrounding charters were tenuous and our growth pace should be steady.
5. What are your goals for the organization in the coming year? We will continue to be engaged in these important public-policy conversations surrounding charters and their role in the system, continue to advocate for the responsible growth of new and innovative schools that meet the overwhelming demand … and we will continue to explore ways to partner with local school districts to share practices, inspire new ideas and learn.