May 3, 2010

REP. CANDELARIA APPLAUDS
ACHIEVEMENT GAP LEGISLATION

State Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven), a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, is pleased to announce that legislation addressing the state's achievement gap and giving parents a greater say in their children's education was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.

Under the bill (HB 5491), local and regional boards of education identified as low achieving due to not meeting adequate yearly progress in mathematics and reading must establish a school governance council with the power to reconstitute schools in three years.

Other provisions include creating a new Parent Trust Fund and allowing the Commissioner of Education to use the resources of the fund to make grants to programs aimed at improving the health, safety and education of children.

"It is not a secret that there is a significant learning disparity between Black and Latino students and the rest of the student population in our state and across the nation," Candelaria said. "It is time to stop this cycle and move forward by bringing ideas that will at least open the door to more dialogue and parental participation, which I believe is essential to making the difference."

In addition, the bill creates an online credit recovery program for schools with a drop out rate of 8% or greater, requires boards of education to conduct two parent conferences per year and establishes a task force to study issues related to the achievement gap. Finally, boards of education would have to offer an advanced placement (AP) course program, and for State Department of Education to develop guidelines for training teachers for teaching AP courses.

"Our Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is working together to identify options that will bring better opportunities for our students," Candelaria said. "I am committed to continue working on behalf of our community to see our vibrant youngsters moving ahead to achieve their academic goals and make their parents and family proud. We will continue to push forward for education reform. This is only the beginning."

Juan Candelaria represents New Haven's 95th Assembly District. He is Deputy Majority Whip, and vice chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations and Regulations Review Committees.