Looking for examples of how to incorporate technology into your classroom? Teachers Linda Massucci, Cathy Binkowski, and Anne Grant, and their third and fourth grade students at Cornwall Consolidated School (CCS), made history at their school this past spring with a special technology collaboration project. With the help of CCS technology teacher Vicki Nelson, the…
DetailsWhile we enjoy the day off this Monday, it’s important to remember that Labor Day means much more than a long weekend. Working men and women make this country what it is, and their success or failure spells success or failure for the entire nation. A report out from Connecticut Voices for Children finds that…
DetailsThe U.S. Department of Education’s Doing What Works website lists increasing time as a “quick win” strategy for turning around the nation’s lowest performing schools, but a report this spring from Education Sector finds the truth is far more complex. The report, Off the Clock: What More Time Can (and Can’t) Do for School Turnarounds, found…
DetailsEducators are being asked to align their lesson plans with the Common Core State Standards but tests won’t be available for two more years. Education Week reports that some sample items are becoming available. “What we are starting to see here are tests that really get at a deeper understanding on the part of students,…
DetailsEducators at Stanton School in Norwich are “poised to take off” on school improvement, according to State Board of Education Chair Allan Taylor. He made the comment as the State Board today approved a school turnaround plan submitted by Norwich’s John B. Stanton Elementary School. Stanton is among the first four schools in the state…
DetailsThe Bridgeport Education Association (BEA) is a strong and collaborative partner in developing strategies to implement Connecticut’s new reform law, Public Act 12-116. That’s the essence of commendations delivered this morning by state education officials and the Bridgeport school administration at a meeting of the State Board of Education in Hartford. Among its many changes,…
DetailsNew definitions of excused and unexcused absences must be used by all Connecticut school districts after their adoption yesterday by the State Board of Education. The Board took this action after a lengthy discussion and approval of new guidelines for educator evaluations (read more about the teacher evaluation and support guidelines here.) According to the…
DetailsCEA is deeply concerned that state lawmakers have diluted this year’s education reform package by establishing legislative language requiring that teachers only have orientation regarding new evaluation models while administrators will be better prepared with full-blown training. State lawmakers took action last night during a Legislative Special Session to pass implementer language necessary to enact…
DetailsCEA Executive Director Mary Loftus Levine, parents, and teachers told members of the State Board of Education today that they are concerned about the potential overreliance on standardized test scores in teacher evaluations. “Teachers are very concerned about the direction and process that appears to be evolving on the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC), and…
DetailsTeachers look forward to being part of a productive partnership with policymakers, administrators, parents, and community leaders in the wake of U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s announcement yesterday that Connecticut has secured a waiver from No Child Left Behind (NCLB). “We are ready to think creatively about how to use federal flexibility to…
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