Mayor Bill Finch told reporters earlier this year that Superintendent Paul Vallas has “never seen a contract as bad as this.” Believe it or not, Vallas may be on to something… I’m not quite sure what part of the contract he was referring to; however, after reviewing the contract myself, I noticed a few lines… Continue reading Is It Ok for the BEA Contract to Use the Term “Mentally Retarded Children?”
The challenger slate, Howard Gardner, Dave Hennessey and Andre Baker, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in a landslide. Many, including the Connecticut Post, are calling this victory proof of a growing anti-Vallas, anti-Finch consensus. I’m not certain we can assume that much, considering turnout was an anemic 11-12%. Most likely, Tuesday was the result of a… Continue reading If Elected, Would Garner, Hennessey and Baker Oust Vallas Before Year’s End?
Are Bridgeport public schools failing our children? Critics of education reform tend to blame poverty and external factors as the main reasons students perform poorly in urban school districts. I do not want to discount poverty as a factor, which is certainly an issue that affects school performance. However, it’s clear that we could be… Continue reading Park City Prep Charter School Model for Success?
Teach for America has been hot-button issue in Bridgeport as of late. The district’s move to slightly increase the number of Teach for America (TFA) teachers employed became controversial at last month’s Board of Education meeting. A lot of the fear stems from the perception that TFA teachers are less effective in the classroom because… Continue reading Recent Study Concludes TFA Teachers Have Positive Impact on Student Achievement
Charter school critics often point to high suspension and expulsion rates as the reasons charters tend to outperform their traditional public school counterparts. Anti-reform advocates have claimed that charters get rid of challenging students (English language learners, Special Ed, etc.) during testing by suspending or expelling them, which in turn artificially raises test scores. A… Continue reading New Study by CER: Are Expulsion Rates Really Driving Charter School Success?
For Bridgeport’s Board of Education, ending a school board meeting on time is a historic event. Generally meetings run at least an hour over the time allotted; however, Monday’s board meeting was shorter and quieter than usual— most likely due to the absence of three of the board’s more outspoken members. Board Chair Reverend Kenneth… Continue reading Bridgeport School Board Meeting Ends on Time
Friday, the Stamford Advocate published the second part to Wendy Lecker’s commentary on education entitled, ‘Our Orwellian Education Policy.’ Lecker’s latest attack piece targets the Common Core State Standards. In the article, she argues, “Our state and national leaders have brought double think to our schools, claiming that “Standardization breeds creativity” and “Compliance breeds’ independent… Continue reading 2+2 Still Doesn’t Equal 5—Commentary On Wendy Lecker’s Latest Article
After filing a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the endorsed slate is now calling for the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to immediately end all spending on behalf of the challenger slate. It was revealed Wednesday that the CEA spent over $28,000 on independent expenditures on behalf of the challenger-slate. According to a statement… Continue reading Endorsed campaign calls for CEA to cease spending
The Connecticut Post’s Q&A session with Bridgeport’s Board of Education candidates reveal some interesting insights on the six candidates running in next week’s Sept 10th primary. One thing that’s particularly striking—While all candidates seem to agree that smaller class-sizes and more parental involvement would be ideal—the slates are on opposite ends of the spectrum when… Continue reading Connecticut Post Q&A reveals insights on BOE candidates
It appears the challenger slate might be in hot water with the state’s Election Enforcement Commission. According to a press-release sent out Wednesday, the endorsed candidates’ campaign will be filing a complaint against the challenger slate (Andre Baker, Dave Hennessey, and Howard Gardner) for “inappropriate coordination” with the Connecticut Education Association’s PAC. The Connecticut Education… Continue reading Challenger slate’s close ties to teacher-union questioned
