New London’s troubled public school system — struggling under what a scathing new state report describes as a hostile, dysfunctional political climate — should be next in line for state intervention, the system’s top official says. “The state must intervene in New London,” Superintendent of Schools Nicholas A. Fischer told the State Board of Education […]
New London school chief asks for state help
Posted inNews
New London superintendent asks state to intervene
New London Superintendent Nicholas Fischer Superintendent Nicholas Fischer came before the State Board of Education on Thursday to ask them to intervene his 3,000-student district. “The state must intervene in New London,” he told the board and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor. His proof that things have hit a breaking point: an audit outlining their dire […]
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Schools push struggling students online
So far, Connecticut’s venture into “virtual learning” has resulted in a hodgepodge of computer programs in various districts with no oversight by the State Department of Education or any other state agency.
Posted inHealth
Hartford city hall opens health clinic
Across the country, health care providers, insurers, employers and politicians say they are trying to make it easier to be healthy. It’s even one of the cornerstones of the controversial Affordable Care Act, in which preventative care comes at no extra cost to the patient. Now, Hartford City Hall is joining in — with a […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
New racial profiling measure could clash with U.S. program
Early this year, Connecticut became one of the first states to adopt a federal program that helps law enforcement agents deport illegal immigrants more easily. But when the state legislature approved a new measure prohibiting racial profiling by police departments, that inadvertently set up a clash with the federal program. The federal measure, Secure Communities, […]
Posted inEducation
School segregation by the numbers
Of the 1,271 schools public schools in Connecticut, 38 of those schools lack diversity and do not mirror their districts’ overall student demographics. Each year the State Department of Education informs several districts that they are violating the law by having schools with demographics far less diverse than their district. This year six districts were cited: […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Should unused sick time = cash?
Should employees who don’t use all their sick days get paid for them when they leave a job? The board designing Connecticut’s health insurance exchange grappled with that and other employee benefits questions Thursday. The board is charged with creating and overseeing a marketplace for selling insurance to individuals and small businesses as part of […]
Posted inEducation
On state intervention in the worst schools…
State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor on Thursday told state board members that the state will onlyintervene in “a small amount” of schools this upcoming school year. The education bill that was signed into law earlier this week gives the commissioner the authority to intervene in up to 25 school over the next three years. However, […]
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The fed who got Rowland gives up on Congress
Farmington — Mike Clark, the retired FBI agent who led the corruption investigation of former Gov. John Rowland, ended a campaign for Rowland’s old congressional seat Wednesday, concluding he had neither the money nor delegate support to wage a primary. His withdrawal two days before the GOP convention narrows the field to four, including an […]
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Malloy backs saving jobs bill killed in House-Senate fight
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is backing an effort to resurrect the bipartisan jobs bill that was killed in a game of political chicken by House and Senate Democratic leaders a week ago on the last day of the annual legislative session. “I have expressed my support for that in personal conversations with a number of […]
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Educators worry about shakeup of federal loan program
Washington — The University of Connecticut and colleges across the nation are concerned about the Obama administration’s plans to overhaul a loan program for the poorest students. As Congress fights over how to avoid an interest rate increase on the popular Stafford loans, college administrators are focusing on plans for the Perkins loan program. Stafford […]
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut lawmakers lose battle over domestic violence bill
The House of Representatives voted 222-205 to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act Wednesday without a single vote from the Connecticut delegation. That all-Democratic delegation prefers a bill the Senate approved last month that would extend protections to the gay and transgender communities. The Senate bill would also provide temporary visas to illegal immigrants who […]
Posted inEducation, Health
Feds to states: reduce use of harmful restraints and seclusions
With thousands of students in Connecticut being physically restrained or secluded each year at school, the U.S. Department of Education is offering guidance for school leaders to cut down on these practices. “Ultimately, the standard for educators should be the same standard that parents use for their own children,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in […]
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New marijuana measure is a model for the nation
Now that the medical marijuana bill has passed both houses of the legislature and the governor’s signature is certain, there will be an upsurge of horrified and negative comments. As a former practicing surgeon and a research analyst on drug policy at Central Connecticut State University, I know these concerns will be heartfelt and must […]