Author: Guest Contributor

Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools
Budgets · In the State · Opinion

Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools

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There’s a lot of people who believe that increasing funding alone can save low-performing schools. Former New London Superintendent Ph.D. Nicholas A. Fisher disagrees.  In response to the Connecticut Mirror’s three-part series comparing education reform efforts in Connecticut and Massachusettes, Fisher reflects on his own experience as a school leader in both states, asking an important question:… Continue reading Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools

Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”
Hartford · In the State

Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”

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Wanted to share with my readers the latest by parent rights advocate and founder of the Connecticut Parent’s Union, Gwen Samuel, where she takes on the normalization of stereotypes about black parents — Check it out: ” The Struggle is still so real – sigh… The stereotypes and prejudgments about Black, brown and poor parents… Continue reading Gwen Samuel: “We Parents Don’t Need Other People’s Permission To Raise Our Children!”

Gwen Samuel Reflects On Her Struggle Being A Black Parent Advocate: Demanding Parent Choice Is Not That Simple When Dealing With Real Life
Hartford · In the State

Gwen Samuel Reflects On Her Struggle Being A Black Parent Advocate: Demanding Parent Choice Is Not That Simple When Dealing With Real Life

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Wanted to share with my readers Gwen Samuel’s latest, where she reflects on what it’s like being a black mom, advocating for parent choice — thought it could be helpful for others in the struggle. Gwen is a Meriden mom, whose been fighting for kids since 2010 when she lead the charge for the state… Continue reading Gwen Samuel Reflects On Her Struggle Being A Black Parent Advocate: Demanding Parent Choice Is Not That Simple When Dealing With Real Life

Teacher Voice: My Students Think That ‘Being an Author Isn’t Really for Black People’
Hartford · In the State

Teacher Voice: My Students Think That ‘Being an Author Isn’t Really for Black People’

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In Connecticut, our schools don’t reflect the ethnic makeup of our state — according to data collected by the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), 40 percent of Connecticut students are children of color, yet only eight percent of teachers are minorities. That’s a stark contrast. One that has a huge impact on how students… Continue reading Teacher Voice: My Students Think That ‘Being an Author Isn’t Really for Black People’

Tips For The Summer Slide: A Connecticut Teacher Shares Five Ways To Retain Second Language Skills
In the State

Tips For The Summer Slide: A Connecticut Teacher Shares Five Ways To Retain Second Language Skills

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The following blog post was written by Jennie Taranovich, Curriculum Coordinator and Spanish teacher at Bethel High School: As a Spanish teacher for 11 years, I can’t tell you how many times I have heard the following statement from parents and friends: “I did study Spanish in high school, but I don’t remember a single thing,” or “I… Continue reading Tips For The Summer Slide: A Connecticut Teacher Shares Five Ways To Retain Second Language Skills

A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence
Hartford · In the State

A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence

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I wanted to share with my readers a recent blog post published by parent advocate Gwen Samuel. (If you haven’t already, you should check out her other blog posts too – she writes at RealTalkGwenSamuels.com) In her most recent post, she reflects on Fredrick Douglas’ famous July Fourth speech, “What To The Slave Is The… Continue reading A Parent Reflects On Fredrick Douglas’ Fourth of July Speech: Gwen Samuel Calls Out Status Quo For Their Silence

Parent Warrior Gwen Samuel Shares Why She Can’t Be Bought: “Our Children Really Need Us To Step Up And Protect Them”
Hartford · In the State

Parent Warrior Gwen Samuel Shares Why She Can’t Be Bought: “Our Children Really Need Us To Step Up And Protect Them”

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Gwen Samuel, a Meriden mom and the founder of the Connecticut Parents Union, shares her story, explaining why she can’t be brought by either side of the education debate: Shirley Chisholm said  “There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must… Continue reading Parent Warrior Gwen Samuel Shares Why She Can’t Be Bought: “Our Children Really Need Us To Step Up And Protect Them”

Guest Post: “Parents Must Get Involved In The Fight For Quality Public Education”
Bridgeport · In the State

Guest Post: “Parents Must Get Involved In The Fight For Quality Public Education”

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Originally posted on the ConnCAN Blog, this is a guest post from Bridgeport parent Jessica Martinez. Jessica is longtime local education activist and the lead plaintiff in Martinez V. Malloy — a lawsuit currently in the federal courts that challenge the state’s moratorium on magnet schools and charter school cap.  —- As a mother in… Continue reading Guest Post: “Parents Must Get Involved In The Fight For Quality Public Education”

Student Voices: I am the Kind of Student Who Goes to Charter Schools
In the State

Student Voices: I am the Kind of Student Who Goes to Charter Schools

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Often the education debate centers on the adults in the room, but what about the students who actually attend Connecticut schools?  Shouldn’t their perspective inform decisions being made at the state house? With this in mind, I’ve decided to start of series of featured blog posts, from student (and reformer student) contributors.  The inaugural blog post is… Continue reading Student Voices: I am the Kind of Student Who Goes to Charter Schools