Gov. Malloy today outlined a package of reforms designed to turn around Connecticut’s lowest-performing schools.

“We made a promise to our kids that education will prepare them for college or the workforce. These reforms ensure that Connecticut schools give our children every opportunity for a bright and successful future,” said the governor.

Unlike other states, Connecticut has lacked a systematic approach to addressing schools that have consistently failed to improve students’ performance.

As a result, there are approximately 120 low-performing schools in the state that for more than five years have failed to make progress under federal guidelines.

New network

Now, the governor is proposing to create a Commissioner’s Network, a system of supports and interventions to improve chronically low-performing schools. The Commissioner’s Network, supported by $24.8 million in new funding, will be led by the State Department of Education’s newly created Turnaround Team, which will transform up to 25 schools over the next two years.

State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor said the network will help "attract and bolster transformational leaders and teachers, provide critical flexibility to enable innovation, and offer the resources and services needed to improve student learning."

One of many

In December, Governor Malloy told state legislators that “the time has come for change in our schools.” Since then he has backed up that claim with proposals to improve many aspects of public education in Connecticut. Among the Governor’s other education reform proposals:

• Expanding early childhood education
• Cutting red tape
• Improving technical schools
• Enhancing charter schools

The proposals dovetail with many of the recommendations made in CBIA’s 2012 Government Affairs Program and by other advocacy groups, such as CCER and the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS).

Today, in an open letter to the General Assembly appearing in newspapers across the state, CBIA President and CEO John Rathgeber said, “global competitiveness demands meaningful education reforms. Connecticut must raise academic performance for all students and close the widening achievement gap.

“Our children deserve a great education and we welcome the governor’s reform initiatives and the initial positive reactions from the leadership of both parties,” Rathgeber wrote.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Louis Bach at 860.244.1929 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).