June 22, 2009

KEY EDUCATION BILL PASSES IN SPECIAL SESSION

By Elizabeth Benton, Register Staff

HARTFORD — A broad bill addressing numerous education issues — including some that will affect New Haven — passed the state House of Representatives and Senate in a special session last week.

The bill had early support during the regular session, but was stalled as the clock ran out on the session.

Legislators convened Friday for a one-day special session to vote on the education bill and legislation addressing funding for summer jobs that needed immediate approval to meet federal deadlines. Both passed.

"We're going to be seeing thousands of teachers retiring over the next five years. ... We've just opened up major avenues to bring great teachers into the classrooms where they are needed," said Education Committee co-Chairman Andrew Fleischmann, D-West Hartford.

The education bill included several provisions affecting New Haven area residents and educators, including language establishing a pilot program to allow local preference in charter school admission to students living within a half-mile radius of the former Timothy Dwight School. The building is being purchased by Amistad Academy charter school.

The bill also included numerous changes to teacher certification regulations, including expanding Teach for America's ability to work in schools beyond Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.

The bill also eased the path for out-of-state educators and professional artists to teach in Connecticut, a major issue for New Haven's Educational Center for the Arts.

"It is so reaffirming to see our political leaders come together around such an important issue for kids and teachers in Connecticut," said Edna Novak, executive director of Teach for America Connecticut.

State Rep. Pat Dillon, D-New Haven, praised passage of the provision allowing local preference at Amistad's planned Dwight location.

"Dwight neighborhood students have been very excited about this new partnership with Amistad Academy," Dillon said. "This is a terrific opportunity for area students to attend this top-notch charter school."

Earlier versions of the bill had secured unanimous support, but due to several amendments, the bill needed renewed approval.

The amended bill was called in the Senate late on the last day of session. No vote was taken, after Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, issued a line-by-line explanation of his support for the bill, seemingly running the clock on the opportunity to vote.

The bill's failure in the regular session sparked heavy criticism from education advocates, who accused Republicans of a last minute filibuster.

Senate Republicans defended their actions, laying blame instead on Democratic leadership for failing to bring to bill to a vote sooner.

Debicella said he was "thrilled" by Friday's vote.

"The bill was changed by the House at the last minute," he said. "We didn't have time to review it before it was brought up in the regular session. I'm thrilled that such an important bill that is going to allow more teachers to teach in our inner cities has passed unanimously."

"I'm very gratified we were able to pass the bill," said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. "There were a number of issues in it that were time sensitive in terms of teacher certification questions," he said.