One-third of teachers’ evaluations could be linked to their students’ standardized test results if the State Board of Education next week agrees on guidelines a state panel approved today. The panel — which consists of representatives from superintendents, school boards, principals and teachers’ groups — is also recommending that the state’s 50,000 public school teachers […]
Teacher evaluations: Proposal mixes standardized tests, unannounced visits and surveys
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Test
With the U.S. Supreme Court to rule this week or next on national health care reform, Connecticut officials are holding their collective breath, waiting to see if they must choose between cutting health care benefits for the poor and spending more state money to replace the hundreds of millions in federal dollars that will vanish. […]
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Veteran health reform leader chosen to head Connecticut health exchange
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy tapped the administrator who helped implement the nation’s first health care reform law in Massachusetts to lead Connecticut’s effort to establish a health care exchange.
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McMahon braves heat, hugs and hard stares at EB
Groton — Sooner or later, every candidate for statewide office ends up at the gate of Electric Boat, trying to the shake the hands of men hell-bent on going home. It was Linda McMahon’s turn Wednesday. On the hottest day of the year, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate waited on a sun-baked sidewalk, squinting […]
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Colleges tighten anti-hacking rules
Recent Internet security breaches at two college campuses prompted public state higher education officials Thursday to impose tougher rules for the use of personal information in computer files. The Board of Regents for Higher Education adopted a policy that tightens security controls, requires additional staff training and makes college and university presidents responsible for maintaining […]
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Blumenthal wins on animal-fighting measure
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has had a big win on legislation that would make it a federal crime to attend an animal fight. The animal-fighting amendment — which would also strengthen existing penalties for spectators who knowingly bring children to an animal fight — was included in a massive farm bill approved by the Senate […]
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U.S. attorney visits Capitol, ducks 800-pound gorilla
U.S. Attorney David Fein participated in a press conference today at the State Capitol, but he left before anyone could ask questions about federal investigations into the congressional campaign of House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan or the consulting activities of former Gov. John G. Rowland. The topic was a first-day-of-summer focus by Gov. Dannel P. […]
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Jackson Laboratory hires administrator for Farmington research center
The genetic research institute spearheading Connecticut’s new bioscience initiative in Farmington announced the hiring Thursday of a site administrator. The Jackson Laboratory hired Yu-Hui Rogers, a genomics researcher and experienced scientific administrator, to lead all aspects of research support at the institute’s planned new facility at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Rogers served most […]
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Connecticut residents slated to get $13 million from insurers
Beginning in August, nearly 138,000 Connecticut families and individuals will receive a bonus from their health insurance company — thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Those whose insurers spent too much on administrative cost will receive checks or reductions in premiums that average $168. This is the result of the so-called 80/20 rule in the […]
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Eight years ago today: Rowland announces resignation
As he faces a new federal investigation, John G. Rowland marks a relevant anniverary today: It was exactly eight years ago that he announced his resignation in the face of an impeachment inquiry and federal criminal investigation. It was a different time. The Hartford Courant rushed into a print with an extra edition carrying a […]
Posted inHealth
State could face big revenue loss if Affordable Care Act is overturned
With the U.S. Supreme Court to rule this week or next on national health care reform, Connecticut officials are holding their collective breath, waiting to see if they must choose between cutting health care benefits for the poor and spending more state money to replace the hundreds of millions in federal dollars that will vanish.
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Connecticut AARP lobbies Capitol Hill on Medicare, Social Security
Washington — Hundreds of AARP leaders, including a group from Connecticut, hit Capitol Hill Wednesday to make sure lawmakers know how older Americans feel about proposed changes to Medicare and Social Security — and to remind them of the political clout of seniors. The AARP has recently surveyed its members to gauge support of a […]
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Aetna blasted by ethics group for ‘hidden’ political donations
Washington — Hartford-based Aetna insurance has come under scrutiny by an ethics watchdog in Washington for giving more than $7 million to groups that plan to blitz the airwaves this year with attack ads targeting Democrats. In a filing with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Aetna unwittingly disclosed it gave more than $3.3 million […]
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DSS concedes eligible low-income residents may be losing health care
Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick Bremby said eligible low-income people may be losing their Medicaid health benefits every month. The department is facing a huge backload of paperwork, the result in part of an antiquated computer system, fewer employees and an ever-higher caseload. “We are concerned,” he said during an interview at the state […]
Posted inEducation
Business grades Connecticut colleges
America’s largest business coalition has graded each state’s public college system, and Connecticut’s two-year colleges have been given a C and four-year colleges a B in meeting the labor market demand. “The state’s performance at the two-year level is particularly poor,” the report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reads, pointing out low graduation rates […]