A few days ago I noticed a new pop-up ad that I hadn’t seen before. It read: “Don’t balance the budget on my back,” featuring a sad boy, bogged down by an enormous backpack. Here’s what the ad looked like: Clicking on the link sent me to the Connecticut Education Association’s (CEA) web page. That’s where… Continue reading Who Gets To Speak For Parents? Hint: It’s Not The Teachers Union
Who could possibly be against getting more funding and resources to the students of Bridgeport? Apparently, there’s one Bridgeport Board of Education member who is; Maria Pereira. She has vowed to file a formal complaint with the State Board of Education and possibly seek legal action over last Monday night’s vote to allow the Interim… Continue reading Pereira Threatens Litigation Over Approval Of Columbus School Commissioner’s Network Letter of Intent
Let’s get one thing straight: The current Commissioner’s Network process is hardly democratic, and in practice, the resulting plans are rarely representative of the broader community. It’s almost laughable that the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), is now claiming that their opposition to Senate Bill 5551, which reforms the Commissioner’s Network, is about “protecting the rights”… Continue reading Connecticut Education Association’s Fear Mongering Over Commissioner Network Bill Has Nothing To Do With “Protecting” Parents’ Rights
Is enough being done to ensure all Connecticut children, especially those in urban areas like Bridgeport, receive a quality education? According to the education advocacy group Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), the answer is no. ConnCAN released a policy report last Thursday, calling on state officials to take “bold action” to revitalize the Commissioner’s… Continue reading Could Bridgeport Kids Benefit from a Revamped Commissioner’s Network?
Question: What happens when you make education policy decisions based on politics rather than children? Answer: You end up with schools catering to special interests and not children. Rosa Torres, the only Luis Muñoz Marin School parent on the school’s turnaround committee, told the Board of Education at Monday’s community engagement meeting that she felt… Continue reading Marin School Parent Speaks Out About Turnaround Process
The overall feeling at Luis Munoz Marin School’s fourth and final Commissioner’s Network forum was one of collaboration and hope. Much of the discussion at Wednesday evening’s community forum revolved around ways to engage parents and students. There was also talk about working collaboratively with the broader Marin community as a way of enriching the… Continue reading Bridgeport Parents and Teachers Collaborate on Marin School’s Turnaround Plan
Performance data is certainly important, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to turning around a failing school. The “climate” of a school, or whether or not a child feels safe in their learning environment, can have profound effects on students and academic performance. I wanted to share with my readers… Continue reading CT Post Letter to the Editor: Bridgeport Parent Praises Success of Commissioner’s Network
One glance at Jon Pelto’s blog would reveal a serious, almost obsessive, vendetta against Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor. His recent series of “reports” on Hartford’s Clark School turnaround committee makes it clear, Pelto does not care who gets caught in the cross-fire of his sensationalist scandal-mongering — even if those in the cross-hairs are children… Continue reading Pelto’s Imaginary Controversy Might Come at High Cost to Clark Students
The polling firm universally praised for its work for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 has released the results of a survey showing wide support for education reforms among voters who know what the reforms are. Beneson Strategy Group, which lists Barack Obama, The New York Times, nine sovereign nations and SEIU among its… Continue reading Obama’s Pollster Releases Results Showing Support for Education Reforms
Two Bridgeport schools are being considered for inclusion in the state’s Commissioner’s Network, but some members of Bridgeport’s Board of Education want to wait to see what happens before moving forward with turning around chronically failing schools. The Commissioner’s Network provides a framework and funding to the state’s lowest-performing schools. There are currently 11 schools… Continue reading Bridgeport BOE Chair Puts Brakes On More State Funding For Schools
