Join your colleagues at a CEA Regional Meeting in March to find out how the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) could change your work in the classroom. ESSA gives Connecticut the opportunity to eliminate certain mandates regarding teacher evaluation, however policymakers must agree to modifications. The legislative session ends May 4—time is short! Teachers can…
DetailsCommunity Schools in Connecticut have had important successes improving student achievement, enhancing parent-school relationships, and providing much needed community supports in some of our neediest districts. These achievements are all at risk due to a funding cut in the governor’s proposed budget. Parents, educators, and community engagement experts spoke out yesterday at a hearing of…
DetailsCEA members’ concerns about education and retiree health care funding will be front and center tonight at a public hearing of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee as CEA staff members outline problems with the governor’s budget proposal. Hearings before the legislature’s budget writing committee are an important means for members of the public to share their…
DetailsA new report on student testing is a step forward, according to Connecticut teachers, but much more investigation and research must be done before policymakers can assure students and parents that Connecticut’s approach to student testing is effective and non-discriminatory. The Connecticut Mastery Examination Committee, empowered to investigate SBAC, delivered its interim report to the…
DetailsIf you’re working under an endorsement that is considered a shortage area you may be eligible for benefits such as loan forgiveness and mortgage assistance. Based on a survey done in the fall, the state Department of Education has now released the Certification Shortage Areas for 2016-17. Most of the shortage areas remain the same…
DetailsHow are Connecticut schools funded? Where does the money come from? What would adequate and equitable school funding look like? What is CCJEF vs. Rell? These questions and more will be answered at the School Funding Equity Summit at Central Connecticut State University on February 17. Panelists will include Michael Frechette of CCSU and Nancy Haynes,…
DetailsCelebrate Valentine’s Day with these classroom resources and activities compiled by Phil Nast for NEA. Valentine’s Day worksheets and coloring pages Coloring pages, Valentine-theme math pages, stationery, word searches. (Grades K-3) Valentine Coloring Pages Forty printable coloring pages. (Grades K-3) Heart Bookmark Make a bookmark template with card stock and Valentine bookmarks from decorative paper. (Grades 2-4)…
DetailsCEA championed people over process at today’s meeting of the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC). CEA President Sheila Cohen and Executive Director Mark Waxenberg pressed education leaders to act quickly and decisively to make the current, two-year waiver from using mastery exam (SBAC, CMT, etc.) scores for evaluation permanent. “We’re up against a time limit…
DetailsEducation funding and pensions are two issues of particular importance to teachers in the budget plan Governor Malloy released today at the opening of the 2016 legislative session. The governor’s plan will be debated by members of the General Assembly who will also be proposing budget ideas of their own. To address a funding shortfall,…
DetailsState lawmakers will be back in Hartford tomorrow for the start of the 2016 legislative session—and that brings opportunity for teachers to advocate for improvements to education policies that affect their students, their profession, and public education. Tomorrow’s focus will be on the state budget as the governor gives his state of the state address…
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