Budgets · In the State

Summer Youth Employment Program Could Be Without Funding If Legislature Doesn’t Get It Together On State Budget

The fiscal year ends on July 1st, but Connecticut’s state legislature still hasn’t passed a budget bill. This means school districts are stuck in limbo. It also means that, unless the legislature can get it together before Friday, thousands of youth services jobs through the state’s summer youth employment program will go unfunded — a job… Continue reading Summer Youth Employment Program Could Be Without Funding If Legislature Doesn’t Get It Together On State Budget

Hartford · In the State

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

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.

In the State

Gov. Malloy Releases Details Of New Education Funding Formula Proposal

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

In the State

State Of The State: Gov. Malloy Calls For New Way To Distribute Education Funding

Today, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy did something that many other officials have seemed to refuse (Looking at you state Performance Evaluation Advisory Council) — he recognized the importance of Superior Court Judge Thomas Mouskawsher’s ruling in the CCJEF v. Rell case. During the opening of the legislative session, Malloy used his state-of-the-state address to set… Continue reading State Of The State: Gov. Malloy Calls For New Way To Distribute Education Funding

Students

CEA Leadership Calls Pelto Out On Tenure Fib

Wow. Now even the teachers’ union is calling Jon Pelto out for making stuff up. If you haven’t already heard, after days of anticipation, Connecticut’s largest teacher’s union, the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), announced their endorsement of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday morning. As soon as the news of the endorsement broke, Pelto came… Continue reading CEA Leadership Calls Pelto Out On Tenure Fib

Students

Bridgeport’s Teacher Evaluation System Revamp

On Tuesday the Bridgeport Board of Education’s Personnel Committee unanimously voted to recommend the approval of a revamped, more streamlined teacher evaluation system. The evaluation system unveiled on Tuesday by the district’s Teacher Evaluation Committee isn’t actually “new,” as Bridgeport was among the ten districts to pilot the state’s teacher evaluation system back in 2012.… Continue reading Bridgeport’s Teacher Evaluation System Revamp

Students

Clinton Neglects to Speak About Education During Connecticut Stump Speech

During Bill Clinton’s stump speech in New Haven today, the former president did not speak at all about education and the omission, considering the circumstances surrounding the event, was surprising, to say the least. Clinton was around to bolster Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s reelection bid and, as one might expect, his speech largely centered around… Continue reading Clinton Neglects to Speak About Education During Connecticut Stump Speech

Students

Gov. Malloy Announces An additional $132 Million in Funding for State’s Lowest-Performing Schools

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday an additional $132,901,813 in funding for 30 of the lowest performing school districts in the state for the 2014-15 school year. Bridgeport will be receiving the second largest chunk of the $132 million, at $14,704,804, a $5 million increase from last year. This money is coming from the Alliance… Continue reading Gov. Malloy Announces An additional $132 Million in Funding for State’s Lowest-Performing Schools

Students

Lack of Support Puts Credibility of Pelto Campaign into Question

Back in May, media darling and third-party gubernatorial candidate Jon Pelto told the Hartford Courant that he wasn’t a spoiler, pledging not throw his hat in the race unless he could raise enough money to run a “credible campaign.” What exactly does that mean? What is the actual cost of a credible campaign? After spending… Continue reading Lack of Support Puts Credibility of Pelto Campaign into Question

Students

Why is Jon Pelto Running For Governor?

Why is Jon Pelto running governor? It’s a simple question. Yet, for some reason Pelto can’t seem to keep his answer straight. Back in early May, Pelto’s repeated mantra was that he was “not a spoiler,” pledging not to run a full-fledge campaign unless he was a “credible candidate.” Here’s what he told the Hartford… Continue reading Why is Jon Pelto Running For Governor?