Disciplining Connecticut’s Schools: A critique of the Judge’s Decision on the CCJEF Education Funding Case

“If the emperor was a weak man, the sight of his mark would evoke laughter and contempt, but if he was a stern and powerful ruler, his mark would instill fear and obedience.” The Lords of Discipline, Pat Conroy, p. 213. In the book Lords of Discipline, based on the Citadel military college, the general … Continue reading Disciplining Connecticut’s Schools: A critique of the Judge’s Decision on the CCJEF Education Funding Case →

Do Connecticut’s privately-managed charter schools outperform local public school districts?

A few weeks ago, attorney Wendy Lecker asked me in an interview for the Stamford Advocate, "Do Connecticut charter schools outperform district schools?" My answer was, "Not exactly". As my Choice Watch report (Cotto & Feder, 2014) demonstrated, charter schools in Connecticut tend to serve a relatively more advantaged group of (mostly) Black and Latinx … Continue reading Do Connecticut’s privately-managed charter schools outperform local public school districts? →

Letters to the NAACP: Quality Education and Charter School Problems

Today, the NAACP will hold a hearing down in New Haven, CT to discuss quality education and their recent resolution calling for a moratorium on new charter schools. The NAACP made an announcement about this meeting earlier this week. Due to the late notice and distance from Hartford, a number of parents told me they … Continue reading Letters to the NAACP: Quality Education and Charter School Problems →

Updated (with video): Got something to say about charter schools? NAACP Special Hearing on Charter Schools – New Haven, CT – Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 – 6 p.m.

Update: The full video of the NAACP special hearing is here. (Source: W4 News, AccessTV.org) Also see parent letters regarding charter school issues to the NAACP Task Force on Quality Education. [iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jUyk5IdXwG8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen width="560" height="315"] In October, the NAACP (national conference) passed a resolution that called for a moratorium on privately-managed, publicly funded … Continue reading Updated (with video): Got something to say about charter schools? NAACP Special Hearing on Charter Schools – New Haven, CT – Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 – 6 p.m. →

Letter to State Board of Education (public comment): Relay teacher training program – November 2, 2016

Dear members of the State Board of Education, Thank you for your service and the chance speak to this morning. My name is Robert Cotto, Jr. and I am a certified teacher in Connecticut, educational researcher, and resident of the City of Hartford. Based on the evidence and my experience, I have deep concerns about … Continue reading Letter to State Board of Education (public comment): Relay teacher training program – November 2, 2016 →

A Guide to Understanding the Hartford Public Schools “Equity 2020” Committee

Equity 2020 Committee members LaKeisha McFarland, Natalie Langlaise, Shontá Browdy speaking to the Hartford Board of Education on October 18, 2016 at Hartford Public High School media center with concerns about consultant proposals to close schools given to the Equity 2020 Committee. What is the Equity 2020 Committee? The Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools selected … Continue reading A Guide to Understanding the Hartford Public Schools “Equity 2020” Committee →

The Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP Demands a Halt to All School Closings

(Photo credit: screen image of Greater Hartford Branch NAACP website) Letter sent via e-mail from President Imam Abdul-Shahid Muhammad Ansari of the Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP to the Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools; and cc: to administrative staff of Hartford Public Schools, Board of Education members, City Council & Mayor of Hartford, NAACP-CT President … Continue reading The Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP Demands a Halt to All School Closings →

Why did the NAACP propose a moratorium on charter schools? Will the Connecticut NAACP support this moratorium on charter schools? (Updated)

Update: The NAACP Board has approved the moratorium on new charter schools. Read the Tweet below and a statement from the NAACP here. Last July, the NAACP (national conference) proposed a resolution that called for a moratorium on new charter schools. This weekend, the NAACP will vote to support (or not) this resolution. So why … Continue reading Why did the NAACP propose a moratorium on charter schools? Will the Connecticut NAACP support this moratorium on charter schools? (Updated) →

Resources on Bilingual Education in CT (work in progress)

Moylan Mentor Program, Spring 2016. Public Hearing on Bilingual Education, latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, January 2014. Creating a Dual-Language Magnet School for the Hartford region. by Jack Dougherty, March 15, 2013. Hartford Public School resolution for Dual-Language Feasibility Study, Robert Cotto, December 2011.

A note on leadership succession in Hartford Public Schools 2016

Last week, Superintendent Beth Narvaez announced that she had accepted another position abroad and will leave the Hartford Public Schools within the next few months. The news was surprising to me and others in community. As the district moves forward, it's helpful to review the Board of Education's rules regarding "leadership succession." Many, but not all, … Continue reading A note on leadership succession in Hartford Public Schools 2016 →