May 24, 2012

EDUCATION REFORM PACKAGE GOOD FOR WINDHAM
Windham Will Receive Additional Funding

State Representative Susan Johnson said the sweeping education reform package signed into law by Governor Dannel P. Malloy last week takes a number of much needed steps to turn around Connecticut’s lowest-performing schools, and provides Windham with new funding for educational programs.

Windham will get nearly $800,000 more for schools, and is eligible for new school based health centers and early education slots too.

“This gives our children the support they need—and they deserve,” said Rep. Johnson. This historic bill will improve schools around the state, while protecting teachers' rights and it makes an important dent in the Achievement Gap.

Rep. Johnson, a member of the legislature’s Education Committee, said the law creates 1,000 new pre-K School Readiness seats, focused in high need, low performing communities. It also creates a pilot program to enhance literacy for students in kindergarten through third grade.

The law also establishes the Commissioner’s Network, which provides the intensive supports and interventions needed to turn around 25 of the most chronically low-performing schools in Connecticut. It grants the state commissioner of education the needed authority to develop or modify plans with teachers and parents at “turnaround” schools, while respecting collective bargaining rights.

10 new Family Resource Centers and 20 new or expanded School Based Health Centers will be set up in needy districts. It also increases funding for existing Family Resource Centers.

The law reforms the teacher tenure system by increasing the frequency of teacher evaluations and linking tenure to evaluations. It also requires the commissioner to administer an evaluation pilot program in 8 to 10 districts for the 2012-2013 school year.

There are also funding increases for vocational/technical and vocational/agricultural schools, charter and magnet schools, and a kindergarten through 8th grade science initiative.