Teachers union signs onto major grant application

By Elisabeth Harrison

Providence, R.I. – The Rhode Island Federation of Teachers, one of two teachers unions in the state, has endorsed the Race to the Top application, in which state officials are seeking $75 million in federal education grants.
Union leaders say several local union presidents have signed onto the grant already, including Providence, Pawtucket and West Warwick. State officials have been lobbying hard to gain teachers union support after losing out in the first round of competition to states with broad union buy-in.
Teachers Union leaders say the announcement this week that Central Falls High School teachers will keep their jobs played a role in their decision to endorse the application.