Early Childhood Education News and In-Depth Reporting

GOP offers cuts, furloughs to close deficit, restore hospital funds

by Keith M. Phaneuf March 15, 2016 @ 12:55 pmAugust 1, 2022 @ 2:54 pm

Updated at 5 p.m.
House and Senate Republicans would furlough all state workers for two days, reduce legislators’ pay, eliminate posts in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration and reduce spending for education, social services and other programs to balance state finances by June 30.

Education, Money, Politics

Malloy: Increase charter school, cut neighborhood school funding

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas February 5, 2016 @ 5:00 amAugust 1, 2022 @ 2:58 pm

Charter schools have escaped Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget axe and are slated for a $9.3 million boost in his proposed state budget. But the Democratic governor wants a $52.9 million cut on funding for special education, after-school programs, reading tutors and other services in low-performing public schools across the state.

Education

CT facing at least one funding cut in new federal education law

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas December 31, 2015 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:45 pm

Funding under the new law is a mixed bag for Connecticut, but one change will cost the state millions of dollars that currently help low-achieving schools hire highly qualified teachers and provide professional development.

Education

School funding trial will look at preschool, too

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas October 15, 2015 @ 4:59 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:45 pm

Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher on Thursday provided a key victory to a coalition suing the state when he rejected the state’s request to exclude evidence related to preschool from a trial that will determine whether the state is spending enough on education.

Education

Put off kindergarten a year? Officials want to end ‘redshirting’

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas September 3, 2015 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:41 pm

While many parents hope an extra year of preschool and development will mean their children are better prepared for school or ahead of their classmates when they start kindergarten, state officials at the Office of Early Childhood want to outlaw the practice.

Education

Universal preschool: Reality falling far short of vision

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas May 12, 2015 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:39 pm

An ambitious state plan to assure every child access to a high-quality preschool is rolling out far short of what was envisioned because of fiscal realities facing the state and school districts.

Education

Higher education cut, local school aid flat in Malloy budget

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas February 18, 2015 @ 5:17 pmAugust 3, 2022 @ 11:34 am

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget proposal cuts support for the state’s public colleges and universities, provides level funding for state aid to school districts, offers financial aid to undocumented students, and would fund four new charter schools.

CT Viewpoints

Low wages threaten Connecticut’s progress on early learning

by Merrill Gay February 18, 2015 @ 4:55 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:49 pm

It is time for the state to start living up to the standards it has set for early childhood education. It must allocate enough money to pay better wages to attract and keep the best teachers.

Education

Op-Ed: Low wages threaten Connecticut’s progress on early learning

by Merrill Gay February 18, 2015 @ 4:55 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:35 pm

It is time for the state to start living up to the standards it has set for early childhood education. It must allocate enough money to pay better wages to attract and keep the best teachers.

Education

Special Report: Education, Diversity and Change in Fairfield County

by Staff report December 11, 2014 @ 5:30 amAugust 3, 2022 @ 2:15 pm

Fairfield County, a region marked by sharp disparities in income and in urban and suburban life, faces particular challenges in assuring all its residents a quality education. Today, a special report, “Education, Diversity and Change in Fairfield County,” explores the issue through in-depth policy reporting, interactive maps and charts, photo galleries and opinion pieces written by teachers from the Connecticut Writing Project at Fairfield University.

Education

Third time a charm? State again seeks federal preschool funding

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas November 12, 2014 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:30 pm

Connecticut leaders are asking the federal government for $47.6 million so hundreds of foster and homeless children can attend a high-quality preschool. Though children from all families in poverty will be eligible for the expanded preschool program, the state says it will give priority to children who are homeless or in foster care.

Education

Prospects improving for free summer meal programs

by Melissa Collins July 8, 2014 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:24 pm

The summer food program sponsored by the Connecticut Community Renewal Team is just one of many around the country offering free summer meals to low-income children. While these programs have struggled over recent years to meet the needs of their communities, prospects are looking up.

Education

Raising Connecticut’s kindergarten age — a help or a harm?

by Jane Gordon Julien June 26, 2014 @ 5:30 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:26 pm

Personal anecdotes conflict with numerous studies saying socioeconomic status and other factors outweigh age in determining success in school. The age a child starts kindergarten has nothing to do with his or her long-term academic success, those studies say.

Education, Politics

Of butterflies, children and a governor seeking re-election

by Mark Pazniokas June 11, 2014 @ 3:19 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:24 pm

Liberated butterflies, excitable pre-schoolers and gubernatorial politics intersected Wednesday as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy chose a YMCA playground in Meriden to publicize the allocation of funds to provide preschool education for 1,020 children.

Education

Changing kindergarten entrance age: Fifth plan the charm?

by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas May 7, 2014 @ 4:13 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 10:22 pm

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.