State Rep. Mae Flexer of Killingly, D-44th District, has won a seat in the state Senate. Her narrow win in the 29th District means the seat vacated by Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr. will remain held by a Democrat. She defeated Republican John French. With Flexer’s win, Democrats will hold 20 of […]
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
Jacqueline was CT Mirror’s Education and Housing Reporter, and an original member of the CT Mirror staff, joining shortly before our January 2010 launch. Her awards include the best-of-show Theodore A. Driscoll Investigative Award from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists in 2019 for reporting on inadequate inmate health care, first-place for investigative reporting from the New England Newspaper and Press Association in 2020 for reporting on housing segregation, and two first-place awards from the National Education Writers Association in 2012. She was selected for a prestigious, year-long Propublica Local Reporting Network grant in 2019, exploring a range of affordable and low-income housing issues. Before joining CT Mirror, Jacqueline was a reporter, online editor and website developer for The Washington Post Co.’s Maryland newspaper chains. Jacqueline received an undergraduate degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University and a master’s in public policy from Trinity College.
Posted inEducation
State wants to rate schools on more than just test scores
State Department of Education officials said Wednesday they plan to seek federal approval to grade the state’s 1,150 public schools using more than just test scores. The state agency wants to use student attendance rates as a criteria in the required school ratings in its next application for a waiver from the punitive requirements of the […]
Posted inPolitics
GOP gains, but Democrats control CT General Assembly
Connecticut Democrats maintained their majority in the state Senate in Tuesday’s elections, winning 21 of 36 seats. The Democrats also retained control of the House, but Republicans gained 10 seats.
Posted inEducation
UConn scholarship fundraising takes a leap
The University of Connecticut’s chief fundraising arm is on a roll, and many more students will get help paying for college as a result. “Hundreds of additional students will be supported,” said Josh Newton, the president of the UConn Foundation. The foundation raised $81.1 million in donations in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, a $17.5 million boost, 0r 27.5 […]
Posted inEducation, Politics
Foley advocates businesslike approach to improving ailing schools
Connecticut’s governor for the next four years will face a wide range of challenges to improve the state’s public schools. The Mirror spoke with both major party candidates about their approach to education. Today, Republican challenger Tom Foley talks about his plans.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Malloy’s educational record: bold plans and compromise
Connecticut’s governor for the next four years will face a wide range of challenges to improve the state’s public schools. The Mirror spoke with both major party candidates about their approach to education. Today, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy talks about his track record and future plans. Wednesday, Republican challenger Tom Foley will lay out his vision for Connecticut schools.
Posted inEducation
60 years after Brown vs. Board of Education: Still separate in Connecticut
It was 60 years ago this Saturday that the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision outlawing segregation in the nation’s schools. But in many large Connecticut cities, racial isolation in schools is as bad as ever.
Posted inEducation
College budgets: Nearly 300 part-time teaching jobs eliminated
The number of part-time lecturers throughout the state’s largest public college system is likely to be cut back severely next school year as officials wrestle with budgetary constraints.
Posted inEducation
Connecticut college system’s buy-one, get-one-free course plan scaled back
Connecticut lawmakers have scaled back the key component of the plan aimed at shoring up the financial deficits the state’s largest public college system faces in the coming years. There will be less than half the original funding of the buy-one, get-one-free course incentive program.
Posted inEducation
Senate leader a finalist for community college presidency
Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, who is not seeking re-election after 22 years in office, was named Wednesday as one of three finalists for the presidency of Quinebaug Valley Community College.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Blumenthal wants ‘bill of rights’ for college victims of sexual violence
After hearing from Connecticut college students about their experiences of sexual violence, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he wants an overhaul of federal law and enforcement procedures to ensure that college staff no longer turn away students seeking help.
Posted inEducation
New law will speed hiring of UConn police, reduce overtime cost
The Connecticut legislature has passed a measure that will speed the hiring of new University of Connecticut police officers, reducing high overtime costs and improving department morale.
Posted inEducation
Feds will give states a break on implementing teacher evaluations
The U.S. Department of Education will give some states more time to implement teacher evaluation systems that are linked to student performance.
Posted inEducation
Changing kindergarten entrance age: Fifth plan the charm?
Once again, the legislature will consider changing the age children must be to enter kindergarten — a proposal that has been made many times before but has never resulted in a change in state law.
Posted inEducation
$522 M heading for school construction
The bill includes language that requires school construction projects to reflect the safety guidelines approved after the Sandy Hook shootings.
