In spite of serious concerns raised by teachers, CEA leaders and staff, state university deans of education, and community members, the State Board of Education today voted to allow the controversial Relay Graduate School of Education to begin operating in Connecticut. Relay provides a shortcut to teacher certification whose methods and outcomes have repeatedly been…
DetailsThe applause was deafening in the North Branford High School auditorium this afternoon as students and staff celebrated one of their own as Connecticut’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. Science teacher and North Branford High alum Lauren Danner beamed with pride. “I am so humbled and honored to be selected as a representative of education…
DetailsAs the days get shorter and colder, our thoughts turn to everything that will happen during the holiday season, whether you’re gearing up for Thanksgiving dinner, hosting extended family for holiday festivities, or opening presents with friends and family. Costs can quickly add up, so as you draft your menus and shopping lists, organize family…
DetailsParent-teacher conferences can sometimes be stressful, for you and the parents, but with proper planning and organization you can lay the groundwork for a productive relationship that will benefit the child. Explore the following resources for advice on getting the most from your parent-teacher conferences. How Can You Deal With Angry Parents? Read advice collected…
DetailsTeachers from around Connecticut are urging their colleagues to get out and vote this November 8. For better or worse, many decisions affecting public education are made by elected officials. As New Canaan teacher Kristine Goldhawk says, “What you teach in the classroom is affected by all of our representatives at the federal level, the…
DetailsCEA leadership pressed the state’s Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) today to answer a fundamental question: What is the purpose of the state mastery test? Frustrated that the group has examined the same question for months—with no progress on articulating an answer—CEA Executive Director Mark Waxenberg told PEAC members, “We’re retilling already tilled soil. What…
DetailsWinter boots, a shirt, and a book. Those items were on one young girl’s holiday wish list last year, but this girl’s parents, like so many others in Connecticut, were facing tough economic times, struggling to put food on the table, and unable to provide holiday gifts for their children. Fortunately, the little girl had…
DetailsNew research showing that the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test disproportionately disadvantages students and teachers in high-poverty districts was distributed to members of the state Mastery Examination Committee today. The study of 600 teachers, conducted by Abacus Associates for the Connecticut Education Association, underscores mounting concerns by legislators, educators, parents, and others about the…
DetailsTeachers are making their voices heard—talking to legislators and offering input on implementation of new federal education law. CEA County Forums around the state offer teachers an opportunity to meet CEA-endorsed candidates for elected office and share important information about what is going on in their classrooms. Watch what teachers and legislators are saying about the…
DetailsThe NAACP this weekend ratified a resolution calling for a moratorium on charter school expansion. The organization sees significant problems with the lack of oversight and accountability of many charter schools and fears some charters are intensifying segregation. A statement from the organization reads as follows. We are calling for a moratorium on the expansion…
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