Budgets · In the State · Opinion

Former New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer: Increased Education Funding Alone Will Not Save Connecticut Schools

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 the State

Does Connecticut Ever Follow Through? Another Reform Voted Down Before It’s Implemented

State Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher’s sweeping ruling last fall in the CCJEF v. Rell case was supposed to be a “game-changer.”  It was supposed “upend” Connecticut’s dysfunctional school system, but it seems the legislature is determined to continue business as usual. To see what I mean, look no further than the General Assembly’s unanimous decision to push forward a bill that loosens… Continue reading Does Connecticut Ever Follow Through? Another Reform Voted Down Before It’s Implemented

In the State

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

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

In the State

State Advisory Council On Teacher Evaluations Ignores Groundbreaking Equity Ruling:  Votes To Continue Watered-Down Teacher Evaluations

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It’s worth repeating for Connecticut’s Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC). A few months after Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher called the state’s current teacher evaluation system “little more than cotton… Continue reading State Advisory Council On Teacher Evaluations Ignores Groundbreaking Equity Ruling:  Votes To Continue Watered-Down Teacher Evaluations

Bridgeport · In the State · New Haven

Connecticut Clergy To General Assembly: It’s Time To Fix Broken School Funding System

On Monday afternoon, a group pastors gathered on the steps of Grace Baptist Church in Norwalk, calling on Connecticut’s General Assembly to take immediate action to fix the state’s broken school funding system. “I implore each citizen of Connecticut to rise up,” said the Rev. Carl McCluster of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport. “Not against the fair… Continue reading Connecticut Clergy To General Assembly: It’s Time To Fix Broken School Funding System