Staffing shortages have been cited repeatedly by the state Department of Education when asked by legislators, oversight board, or advocates to address problems or provide assistance. It’s a problem shared by other state agencies — or soon will be as budgetary forces place increasing strain on the state’s workforce.
K-12
Posted inEducation
UConn’s research rankings slip (again) – despite state investment
While the University of Connecticut’s oft-touted U.S. News & World Report rankings have improved in recent years – its ratings that focus on research have slipped. This month, they slipped further.
Posted inEducation
Increase in minority teachers not keeping pace with influx of minority students
First the good news: hundreds more minorities have become teachers over the last 10 years following several changes that made it easier to become an educator in Connecticut. Now the bad news. The growth hasn’t kept pace with the influx of Hispanic and Latino students entering public schools and those students are now less likely to have a teacher that looks like them, a review of state data by CT Mirror has found.
Posted inEducation
Lingering questions remain about school desegregation in Connecticut
Does research show integration improves student outcomes in Connecticut? Do magnet schools drain money from neighborhood schools? How does the lottery work? What’s next for school desegregation? We provide some answers.
Posted inEducation
High school graduation rates going up, but many students still unprepared for college
It has become an annual tradition — politicians and school officials gather to celebrate that more students in Connecticut are graduating each year from high school. This year was no different. But before anyone gets too excited about this jump in graduation rates – from 83 to 88 percent over the last seven years – data shows that many students are not learning what they should before they leave high school.
Posted inEducation
Here’s why some students land a seat in coveted magnet schools outside the lottery
Students enrolled in a magnet school run by the Capitol Region Education Council last school year were already attending another magnet school, but needed to transfer schools because of safety reasons – such as being bullied – or because they were foster children or homeless and requested changing schools. It’s still unclear what happened in Hartford Public Schools’ magnet schools.
Posted inEducation
Five things to know about Griebel’s plans for public schools, if elected governor
The independent candidate for governor spoke with the CT Mirror recently to talk about education. Oz Griebel shared where he stands on regionalization, magnet schools, the length of time students spend in school, and teacher pension payments.
Posted inPolitics
An ‘army of young people’ propels and inspires Jahana Hayes
It was a wave of young voters that propelled Democrat Jahana Hayes into the Fifth Congressional District candidacy, and Sunday she told a crowd of young voters that they continue to be her inspiration as she attempts to become the district’s first black female representative.
Posted inEducation
Five things to know about Stefanowski’s plans for public schools, if elected governor
The Republican candidate for governor spoke with the CT Mirror recently to talk about education. Bob Stefanowski shared where he stands on school funding, the teaching profession, desegregating schools, and how he would shore up the state’s troubled teachers’ pension fund.
Posted inEducation
Five things to know about Lamont’s plans for public schools, if elected governor
The Democratic candidate for governor sat down with the CT Mirror recently to talk about education. Ned Lamont shared where he stands on school funding, the teaching profession, desegregating schools, and how he would shore up the state’s troubled teachers’ pension fund.
Posted inEducation, Justice
Fate of state’s school integration efforts rests with federal judge
BRIDGEPORT — A federal judge will soon determine whether his court should get involved in how the state awards enrollment to students in high-performing magnet schools located throughout Connecticut. At issue is whether the lottery’s algorithm – which is designed to limit enrollment of black and Hispanic students in a school to 75 percent – is discriminatory, and therefore a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
Posted inPolitics
Hayes raises about $1.3 million in her quest for congressional seat
WASHINGTON – Jahana Hayes, a political newcomer vying for the 5th District congressional seat, has pulled in nearly $1.3 million in campaign donations since she announced her candidacy in May. Some of that money came from political action committees representing special interests and from those Hayes hopes to call colleagues after the Nov. 6 elections, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Posted inEducation
Do magnet schools need white students to be great?
In the Hartford region, a difference in philosophies about whether segregation contributes to poor educational outcomes divides parents, educators and lawmakers. Most magnet schools have no problem attracting enough white students from the suburbs to go to school with city kids, but some struggle. This means seats in some schools are left open to maintain diversity – a reality that is causing a rift among neighbors about what should happen next. On Tuesday, a federal judge will consider whether the state must stop considering race when awarding seats.
Posted inEducation
Creating the Board of Regents? Brilliant or a blunder, depending who you ask
The previous offices of the state universes on Woodland Street in Hartford Seven years have passed since Gov. Dannel P. Malloy forced a merger of the state’s community colleges, regional Connecticut State Universities, online college and Office of Higher Education. Many promises were made by the freshman governor: tens of millions would be saved, more professors […]
Posted inEducation
New tax break for private K-12 tuition begins this school year
A classroom at a private school in Connecticut A new state tax break is available this school year to help parents pay for private K-12 school tuition – a development triggered by the federal tax overhaul. The state has for years allowed parents to avoid paying state income taxes on up to $10,000 each year […]