With no end to the budget battle in sight, Democrats authorized a special session this weekend. The General Assembly closes its 2009 regular session on Wednesday, and it seems likely it will be some time still before Connecticut has a budget in place for a fiscal year that begins July 1. No sooner had the…
DetailsThis spring NEA Member Benefits launched a new version of their website www.neamb.com. If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a few minutes to visit and explore some of the discounts and programs they offer. Most members aren’t aware of all of the discounts they could access. The new NEA Member Benefits website offers…
DetailsThis week President Obama proposed closing and reopening 1000 failing schools per year for the next five years. Where did this come from! Officially the notion was floated by Secretary Duncan while making opening remarks to an audience at the Brookings Institute in Washington this past Monday. But why now? Is it puzzling that just…
DetailsNEA President Dennis Van Roekel heard encouraging reports from teachers, parents and principals during a visit yesterday to two Bridgeport CommPACT schools. The new school reform experiment in Connecticut’s neediest cities may be the best hope for solving some of the vexing problems of America’s urban schools. CommPACT, headed by the University of Connecticut’s Neag…
DetailsGuest post by Linette Branham, CEA Educational Issues Specialist It wasn’t an everyday, ordinary carnival that came to Charter Oak Academy in West Hartford on Saturday, May 2. This one had no live animals, no midway booths and games, no cotton candy, and no dare-devil rides. What attracted more than 150 children and parents? Teachers,…
DetailsState education officials are seeking guidance and getting answers from the U.S. Department of Education about how to use new federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). They shared what they have learned with CEA staff at CEA headquarters yesterday. Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan and his staff say they believe it’s…
DetailsNearly 500 delegates attended the 161st CEA Representative Assembly (RA) Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell. Phil Apruzzese was re-elected to a second term as president and Sheila Cohen was re-elected to a second term as vice president. Delegates heard from three possible gubernatorial candidates: State Senator…
DetailsCEA sponsors the Sparks Conference to help newer members take charge of their profession, classroom, and future. The conference gives newer members the chance to learn about and discuss issues that are of concern to them with other new members. The Sparks Conference was held April 24-26 at the Old Taber Inne in Mystic. Participants…
DetailsA group of 40 CEA members, 8 staff and the 4 CEA officers participated in the 2009 CEA/NEA orientation April 1-3. The CEA/NEA Orientation is an annual event organized by CEA staff for emerging local association leaders that builds awareness and understanding of the resources CEA and NEA offer. Participants toured CEA Headquarters in Hartford…
DetailsOn Saturday, March 21, new teachers from around Connecticut gathered at Mohegan Sun for the annual CEA conference. The 2009 conference offered 13 breakout sessions on subjects from special education principles and practices to podcasting. The keynote address by Sally Ogden was titled “Words Will Never Hurt Me: Dealing with Power Struggles, Difficult People and…
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