Tag: BOE Race Bridgeport

Reform

My Commentary on The Atlantic’s Coverage of the Bridgeport School Board Election

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On Tuesday, The Atlantic offered a one-sided commentary on Bridgeport’s Board of Education primary election results. The article opens with the statement: “Progressives and unions say a primary in Connecticut last week shows momentum is turning against the corporate-backed charter-school movement.” [The Atlantic, 9/17/2013] Of course, unions and the Working Families Party would promote their… Continue reading My Commentary on The Atlantic’s Coverage of the Bridgeport School Board Election

If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?
Bridgeport · Budgets · Reform

If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?

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The challenger slate, Howard Gardner, Dave Hennessey and Andre Baker, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in a landslide. Many, including the Connecticut Post, are calling this victory proof of a growing anti-Vallas, anti-Finch consensus. I’m not certain we can assume that much, considering turnout was an anemic 11-12%. Most likely, Tuesday was the result of a… Continue reading If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?

Reform · Students

Recent Study Concludes TFA Teachers Have Positive Impact on Student Achievement

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Teach for America has been hot-button issue in Bridgeport as of late. The district’s move to slightly increase the number of Teach for America (TFA) teachers employed became controversial at last month’s Board of Education meeting. A lot of the fear stems from the perception that TFA teachers are less effective in the classroom because… Continue reading Recent Study Concludes TFA Teachers Have Positive Impact on Student Achievement

Reform

New Study by CER: Are Expulsion Rates Really Driving Charter School Success?

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Charter school critics often point to high suspension and expulsion rates as the reasons charters tend to outperform their traditional public school counterparts. Anti-reform advocates have claimed that charters get rid of challenging students (English language learners, Special Ed, etc.) during testing by suspending or expelling them, which in turn artificially raises test scores. A… Continue reading New Study by CER: Are Expulsion Rates Really Driving Charter School Success?

Reform

Challenger Slate Leads BOE Race in Unofficial Results

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Unofficial results show the challenger slate winning Tuesday’s Board of Education Democratic primary by a 1,000 vote margin. The challenger slate beat out the endorsed slate almost 2-to-1 despite the endorsed slate’s initial 841 absentee ballot lead. Turnout was very low; roughly only 10-12% of Bridgeport Democrats voted in Tuesday’s primary. The challengers, Andre Baker,… Continue reading Challenger Slate Leads BOE Race in Unofficial Results

Bridgeport · Reform

2+2 Still Doesn’t Equal 5—Commentary On Wendy Lecker’s Latest Article

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Friday, the Stamford Advocate published the second part to Wendy Lecker’s commentary on education entitled, ‘Our Orwellian Education Policy.’ Lecker’s latest attack piece targets the Common Core State Standards. In the article, she argues, “Our state and national leaders have brought double think to our schools, claiming that “Standardization breeds creativity” and “Compliance breeds’ independent… Continue reading 2+2 Still Doesn’t Equal 5—Commentary On Wendy Lecker’s Latest Article

Students

Endorsed campaign calls for CEA to cease spending

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After filing a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the endorsed slate is now calling for the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to immediately end all spending on behalf of the challenger slate. It was revealed Wednesday that the CEA spent over $28,000 on independent expenditures on behalf of the challenger-slate. According to a statement… Continue reading Endorsed campaign calls for CEA to cease spending

Bridgeport · Reform · Students

Connecticut Post Q&A reveals insights on BOE candidates

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The Connecticut Post’s Q&A session with Bridgeport’s Board of Education candidates reveal some interesting insights on the six candidates running in next week’s Sept 10th primary. One thing that’s particularly striking—While all candidates seem to agree that smaller class-sizes and more parental involvement would be ideal—the slates are on opposite ends of the spectrum when… Continue reading Connecticut Post Q&A reveals insights on BOE candidates

Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned
Bridgeport · Students

Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned

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It appears the challenger slate might be in hot water with the state’s Election Enforcement Commission. According to a press-release sent out Wednesday, the endorsed candidates’ campaign will be filing a complaint against the challenger slate (Andre Baker, Dave Hennessey, and Howard Gardner) for “inappropriate coordination” with the Connecticut Education Association’s PAC. The Connecticut Education… Continue reading Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned

Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled
Bridgeport · Students

Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled

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A public forum featuring all six Board of Education candidates, sponsored by Bridgeport area League of Women Voters and Common Cause in Connecticut was set for Tuesday, 6 P.M. at the Burroughs Center in Black Rock. The event, however, was cancelled by the League of Women Voters after Democratic endorse candidates, Kathryn Roach Bukovsky, Rev. Simon… Continue reading Endorsed candidates not invited to public forum, event cancelled