By DON STACOM

The Hartford Courant

March 17, 2009

 Before new teachers get to run a classroom in Connecticut, they should have to undergo extensive training that includes lessons on working with children who speak little English, have learning disabilities or exhibit behavioral problems, according to state Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan.

But at least two groups want exceptions. Students at a New Haven magnet school say part-time arts instructors should be free of the rule, and the superintendent of Hartford schools wants Teach for America workers to be exempt, too.

State lawmakers heard from all sides of the debate Monday when they reviewed various recommendations for overhauling the state's teacher certification system.

McQuillan described the centerpiece proposal as a way to train new teachers for a student population that's changed significantly in the past few decades.

Sen. Thomas Gaffey, co-chairman of the education committee, repeatedly expressed doubts, though, and advised McQuillan to produce a detailed explanation of the new certification curriculum he seeks.

"I want to know what we're buying here," Gaffey said.

Speakers from the Educational Center for the Arts magnet school said that any certification system should have exceptions for fine arts professionals who teach at magnet schools. They said that they fear losing the professional musicians, dancers, writers and playwrights who teach at the school part-time and without benefits. Those instructors probably wouldn't be willing to sacrifice the time and money to complete a full-scale teacher certification program.

"What more qualification is necessary than real experience as artists?" asked Hannah Klein, a junior at the school. "I want a teacher who will give me the best taste of life as a real dancer."

Hartford Superintendent Steven J. Adamowski testified on behalf of a bill that would allow less rigorous, renewable one-year certifications. That would help Teach for America, the nationwide program that pays incentives to recent college graduates to work two-year assignments teaching in mostly urban school systems. Hartford has benefited from having about 60 Teach for America instructors, Adamowski said.