Hartford

Is This A Symptom Of A Larger Problem? If Capital Prep Cherry Picked White Students, They May Have Done So To Meet Sheff Quotas

On Friday, Hartford Courant reporters Matthew Kauffman and Vanessa de la Torre broke the story that Capital Prep Magnet School in Hartford — a school that was already in hot water for selecting students outside the lottery — may have handpicked white students. If this turns out to be deliberate, which is yet to be seen,… Continue reading Is This A Symptom Of A Larger Problem? If Capital Prep Cherry Picked White Students, They May Have Done So To Meet Sheff Quotas

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”

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”

Hartford · In the State

Judge Rules In Favor Of Sheff Plaintiff: Blocks State Efforts To Shift Integration Standards

It looks like unfilled seats at Hartford Magnet schools will remain unfilled — at least for now. Today, Connecticut Superior Court Judge Marshall K. Berger granted the Sheff plaintiffs’ request for a temporary injunction, blocking the state’s efforts to change integration standards for Hartford area schools.   This decision doesn’t have an immediate effect since… Continue reading Judge Rules In Favor Of Sheff Plaintiff: Blocks State Efforts To Shift Integration Standards

Hartford · In the State

The Connecticut Education Association’s Long Quest To Scrub Public Information On Alleged Child Abuse

In the face of investigations into the chronic failure of school employees to report child abuse, it appears the state’s largest teachers union has been working behind the scenes to scrub records that could aid in tracking patterns of abuse. Back in 2016, around the same time that Hartford’s Mayor insisted the Office of the… Continue reading The Connecticut Education Association’s Long Quest To Scrub Public Information On Alleged Child Abuse

Hartford · In the State

The Myth Of Magical Whiteness: Isn’t Intentionally Leaving Sheff Magnet Seats Empty Missing The Point?

Someone once told me, white kids aren’t magic pixie dust that you can sprinkle on a school to make it better. That might seem like an abrasive statement, but it’s what sticks in my mind when thinking about the mindset that has allowed Hartford to develop a system of desegregation that shuts out half of… Continue reading The Myth Of Magical Whiteness: Isn’t Intentionally Leaving Sheff Magnet Seats Empty Missing The Point?

Hartford · In the State

CT Parents Union Founder Tells State To Do Their Job: Asks That They Follow Up On Child Abuse Report

In case you’re wondering how done parents are with Connecticut’s State Board Of Education, Connecticut Parents Union founder Gwen Samuel explained it — in detail —  on Wednesday morning at their monthly meeting. Here’s the video of her testimony:

“Parents have to know that you are reading about their abuse and neglect,” to the state board of education during public comments. She’s talking about an Office of the Child Advocate report on mandated reporting that was released a few weeks ago. The report found that Hartford Public Schools routinely and systematically ignored allegations of child abuse. 

Since the report’s release, Hartford Public Schools responded by releasing an Action Plan, but Samuel says this doesn’t go far enough. 

“Do what you were appointed to do,” said Samuel, who wants the state board to step up and ensure that districts are complying with state law, referencing the groundbreaking CCJEF v. Rell ruling.  According to Superior Judge Thomas Moukawsher, the state has a “non-delegable” responsibility to provide free public education. Samuel argues this extends to protecting children from abuse — as it should.

Hartford · In the State

Hartford Parents Are Saying Enough: Gear Up For Potential Legal Action Over Report Showing District Ignored Child Abuse Allegations

In response to an Office Of The Child Advocate (OCA) report released two weeks ago that showed that Hartford Public Schools systematically ignored allegations of child abuse, parents organized by a coalition of groups including the Connecticut Parents Union are gearing up for a potential legal battle. The Hartford Courant has the story: “On Thursday night,… Continue reading Hartford Parents Are Saying Enough: Gear Up For Potential Legal Action Over Report Showing District Ignored Child Abuse Allegations

Hartford · In the State

Allegations Of Child Abuse Were Flatly Ignored In Hartford – Where Is The Outrage?

I’m calling out all the so-called defenders of public education: Your silence speaks volumes. There’s a whole lot of “pro-public education advocates” in this state who have been focusing on Betsy DeVos, charter schools and the SBAC exam — but where is the outrage over what’s going on in Hartford? They’ll call state standardized testing “state sponsored… Continue reading Allegations Of Child Abuse Were Flatly Ignored In Hartford – Where Is The Outrage?

Hartford · In the State

A Grassroots Call To Action: Parent Group Celebrates Black History Month While Gearing Up For State Education Battles

“If you’re not at the table, you’re gonna be on the menu,” said Alisha Thomas Morgan, a former state senator from Georgia, who repeated this famous quote at Connecticut Parents Union’s Black History Month Celebration in honor of State Sen. Eric D. Coleman. Sen. Coleman, the honoree of the event, resigned right before the start of this… Continue reading A Grassroots Call To Action: Parent Group Celebrates Black History Month While Gearing Up For State Education Battles

Hartford

UPDATE: Sparrow withdrawns nomination; Mayor Bronin Nominates Another New BOE Member

UPDATE: President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford, Harold Sparrow, withdrew his nomination to the Hartford’s school board amidst controversy sparked by anti-gay-marriage statements made by a group he was executive director of ten years ago. Today, Mayor Bronin announced another candidate to replace Sparrow, Kim Oliver. The Hartford Courant has the story: here’s a… Continue reading UPDATE: Sparrow withdrawns nomination; Mayor Bronin Nominates Another New BOE Member