How students perform on standardized tests should not be the sole basis for teacher evaluation, tenure is simply due process and charter schools are not a panacea. That’s what Lily Eskelsen, the vice president of the nation’s largest teachers union, told a packed house of 2,800 on Nov. 11 at a panel discussion on education…
DetailsElection Day is finally here – please remember to vote today! This is one of the most important elections for the State of Connecticut in many years. For more information about CEA’s endorsed candidates and the positions of the gubernatorial candidates, visit www.cea.org. If you don’t know where your polling place is, you can look…
DetailsLast week NEA, AFT, and Secretary Duncan announced plans for a joint labor-management summit early next year to talk about collaboration in pursuit of education reform. Certainly not a tipping point, but a welcome relief from the seemingly endless focus on ineffective teachers, “jobs for life”, and the infamous “Rubber Room” in New York City.…
DetailsWe are excited that Lily Eskelsen, vice president of the National Education Association (NEA), will be coming to Connecticut to participate in a panel titled Our Great Education Challenge. The Connecticut Forum’s panel will take place Thursday, November 11 at 8pm in Hartford. CEA members are strongly encouraged to attend. Eskelsen will join panelists Davis Guggenheim,…
DetailsMichelle Rhee, controversial superintendent in Washington, DC, announced her resignation Wednesday. Just a few days ago Arne Duncan’s successor in Chicago, Ron Huberman, announced that he will leave as well based upon Mayor Daley’s surprise decision not to stand for reelection. Also, Mark Roosevelt in Pittsburg announced his departure after five years. Both Roosevelt and…
DetailsNewspapers are reporting that — at a forum on public education — Tom Foley, the Republican candidate for governor, indicated he would abolish teacher tenure, eliminate binding arbitration, overhaul state pensions, and support merit pay. The gubernatorial candidates met in Middletown last night for a debate sponsored by the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now. The…
DetailsThe new Vanderbilt University study that’s critical of merit pay is shaking up the education world. Did it leave you speechless? Surprised? Left with a sense of satisfaction that you knew it was coming? It’s a groundbreaking study, so we’d like you to weigh in with a comment. Here at CEA, we’ve long maintained that…
DetailsMSNBC is sponsoring a Teacher Town Hall this Sunday, September 26 at noon EDT. Hosted by Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, the Teacher Town Hall will “bring together teachers from across the country, both in-person and online, to brainstorm ideas, talk about what works in the classroom, and highlight the…
DetailsCEA-Retired is holding its annual fall conference September 21 at the Aqua Turf Club. Every year CEA-Retired brings in speakers who address a variety of topics with CEA-R members. This year CEA-endorsed candidates running for election will meet with retirees and answer their questions. Attendees will also hear from Don Blake, NEA Senior Technologist and…
DetailsThe hardships facing American workers have come sharply into focus during the current recession. Many have lost jobs, are underemployed, or are worried about possible unemployment. The American labor movement is more important than ever during these challenging times. Labor continues to advocate for workers, and is focusing on electing candidates who understand and value…
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