In the State · Reform

[VIDEO] Connecticut Mom Gwen Samuel Brings Real Talk To American Enterprise Institute’s Panel On “Schooling in America”

Education policy panels tend to be posturing, jargon-heavy affairs, however on Wednesday, Connecticut mom and president of the CT Parents Union, Gwen Samuels, brought some much needed real talk to the American Enterprise Institute’s (AEI) panel on “Schools in America.” Check out her comments linked in the video below: The AEI panel discussion centered on a recently… Continue reading [VIDEO] Connecticut Mom Gwen Samuel Brings Real Talk To American Enterprise Institute’s Panel On “Schooling in America”

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

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

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”

In the State

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

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

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

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

In the State · New Haven

On The Parent Express Trail: Two State Legislators Discuss Education Priorities Going Into 2017 Session

Tomorrow begins the legislative session for the Connecticut General Assembly. This year will be an important one. With both the CCJEF decision and budget deficit looming, it’s likely there will be major education decision on the table. Two weeks ago, during the Connecticut Parents Union parent express bus tour I sat down briefly with two… Continue reading On The Parent Express Trail: Two State Legislators Discuss Education Priorities Going Into 2017 Session

Students

Parents and Students Call For an “Opt-in” Movement

On Tuesday, while the Connecticut Education Association and the Connecticut Federation of teachers held a 500-person rally pushing their anti-accountability agenda, just next door students had a very different message for state legislators. A group of urban students and parents organized by Youth Unleashed and the Connecticut Parents Union held a press conference in the… Continue reading Parents and Students Call For an “Opt-in” Movement