Many schools assign some kind of summer reading but the vacation months are also a great time for children to spend plenty of time with books of their own choosing. How do you find out what might appeal to a young friend or family member? Head for the physical or online bookshelves prepared with the…
DetailsA recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court clarifies that mandatory reporting laws exist to protect abused, neglected children and get them the support they deserve. The case of Ohio v. Clark, raised the question of whether a child’s statement to his teacher about being a victim of abuse is inadmissible in a criminal prosecution…
DetailsAfter more than 180 days of teaching, counseling, coaching, mentoring, and inspiring, educators around the state are—or will soon be—closing classroom doors for the last time this school year and taking some much-deserved time to relax and reflect. Teachers use summer break for a wide variety of activities from teaching summer school to professional development…
DetailsBridgeport Middle School students showed off their talents at the 3rd Annual Bilingual Talented and Gifted (TAG) Expo at Cesar Batalla School on June 4. Student presentations covered a wide variety of topics including science, medicine, history, and debates on several subjects. The event also recognized students, parents, and community leaders for their support throughout the year.…
DetailsThere will no longer be any ambiguity about whether school superintendents can cede authority to others for final dispute resolution connected with a school district Educator Evaluation and Support plan. Questioned by CEA Executive Director Mark Waxenberg at a public meeting this week, the State Department of Education’s Chief Talent Officer Sarah Barzee confirmed that…
DetailsAs the school year comes to a close, don’t forget to check the deals and discounts available from NEA Member Benefits before entertaining or taking a much-deserved vacation. Below are special offers for June. NEA Click & Save “Buy-lights” for June 2015 Coming up: Father’s Day, graduations, and weddings. NEA Click & Save, the online…
DetailsFrom eliminating SBAC for 11th graders, to strengthening charter school oversight and winning the opportunity for teachers to save money on health care premiums, the positive outcomes from this year’s legislative session are thanks to CEA leadership and the collective effort of teachers to make inroads to improve public education, the teaching profession, and working…
Details**UPDATE: On July 7, 2015, Governor Malloy signed SB 1096 into law.** Charter schools, which have become a parallel school system in Connecticut—allowed to play by a different set of rules than those that govern traditional neighborhood public schools—are now subject to some much-needed oversight thanks to Senate Bill 1096 that passed the state House…
DetailsA bill that eliminates SBAC testing for eleventh graders and calls for an examination of SBAC’s impact on younger students tonight passed the State House of Representatives after passing the Senate last week. Education Committee Co-Chair Rep. Andy Fleischmann called Substitute Senate Bill 1095 “an important step forward for all students affected by mastery testing [SBAC]…
Details“It’s all about the future,” emphasized Katy Reddick, who teaches Latin at Strong Middle School in Durham, when asked why issues of climate change and environmental consciousness resonate so strongly with teachers. Anthony Sorge, a Naugatuck High School English teacher, agreed. “We spend our time with young people who will be inheriting the world we’re…
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