DOJ Investigates Providence Public Schools’ Allegedly Discriminatory Loan Program

The Providence Public School District said it is facing a Department of Justice investigation into a student loan repayment program that is allegedly discriminatory.

Officials said the PPSD and the Rhode Island Department of Education was notified last Friday about the investigation into the program that allegedly discriminates against teachers who identifies as white.

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“At that time, students of color represented approximately 80% of enrollment in the District while just ~20% of educators identified as educators of color. Increasing the diversity of our teaching force is not only aligned with the core values of the District, but also has a direct, positive impact on student outcomes as demonstrated by years of educational research,” the Providence Schools Superintendent Javier Montañez wrote in a letter to the school board.

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