Tag: CCJEF

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

In Spite Of CCJEF Ruling, State Legislature Continues To Water Down Graduation Requirements
In the State

In Spite Of CCJEF Ruling, State Legislature Continues To Water Down Graduation Requirements

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Last fall, Bridgeport Superintendent Fran Rabinowitz testified in front of the State Superior Court that she couldn’t “with complete certainty” deny that a student could graduate from Bridgeport Public School functionally illiterate. You’d think a statement like this would send up red flags for state legislators, but, NOPE. Instead of strengthening graduation requirements, according to… Continue reading In Spite Of CCJEF Ruling, State Legislature Continues To Water Down Graduation Requirements

Have We Learned Nothing From CCJEF? Neither Democrat Or Republican Budget Proposals Based On Student Need
In the State

Have We Learned Nothing From CCJEF? Neither Democrat Or Republican Budget Proposals Based On Student Need

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Ever since Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher handed down his scathing ruling in the CCJEF v. Rell school funding case last September, state legislators have given lip-service, declaring that the state must fix Connecticut’s broken school funding system. It seems neither the majority of Democrats nor Republicans are willing to put their money where their mouth is.… Continue reading Have We Learned Nothing From CCJEF? Neither Democrat Or Republican Budget Proposals Based On Student Need

While All Eyes Are On The Budget Debate, PEAC Quietly Votes To Chip Away At Accountability
In the State

While All Eyes Are On The Budget Debate, PEAC Quietly Votes To Chip Away At Accountability

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Ah, the Land of Steady Habits has done it again! The state’s Performance Evaluation Advisory Committee (PEAC),  tasked with advising the state on annual testing policy, once again, ignored Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher’s ruling in CCJEF v. Rell,  in favor of shielding adults from consequences. On Wednesday morning, the committee, made up almost entirely… Continue reading While All Eyes Are On The Budget Debate, PEAC Quietly Votes To Chip Away At Accountability

Bipartisan Group Urges State To Take Action To Reform Broken Funding System
In the State

Bipartisan Group Urges State To Take Action To Reform Broken Funding System

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In New Haven, budget cuts this year threaten after school programs. In Bridgeport, crossing guards and transportation. For these districts and others, the situation is dire. While some groups want the state to hold off on making changes till an adequacy cost study is done, a new group is calling on state leaders to take more immediate… Continue reading Bipartisan Group Urges State To Take Action To Reform Broken Funding System

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

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

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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.

Charter Parents Stage Silent Plea To Save Their Children’s Schools
In the State

Charter Parents Stage Silent Plea To Save Their Children’s Schools

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On Tuesday afternoon, hidden throughout the Connecticut State Legislative Office Building stood parents and students waging a silent protest. “I want what was promised,” said Elizabeth Moore, a Stamford parent of three, who was one of nearly a dozen parents who stood for over two hours in silence, with black ribbon over their mouths, holding… Continue reading Charter Parents Stage Silent Plea To Save Their Children’s Schools

A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice
Bridgeport · In the State

A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice

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What are the emerging patterns of control and resistance? How does the history [of education inequity] connect to issues you identified as being most important? These are just some of the questions a room of about a hundred attendees contemplated at Housatonic Community College last Saturday morning — the start of what Founder and Organizing… Continue reading A History Of Inequity & Resistance: Community and Legislators Get Together For Round Table On Education Justice

Gov. Malloy Releases Details Of New Education Funding Formula Proposal
In the State

Gov. Malloy Releases Details Of New Education Funding Formula Proposal

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Last month, during his state of the state address, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced that he planned to propose a new school funding formula to replace the Education Cost Sharing grant (ECS) — today, the governor’s office released details of his proposal. While visiting New Britain’s Smalley Academy,  citing the groundbreaking CCJEF v. Rell decision,… Continue reading Gov. Malloy Releases Details Of New Education Funding Formula Proposal

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

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

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“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