Letter to Norwalk Board of Education

This was my letter sent to the Norwalk Board of Education on June 16, 2015 as an individual. My views are my own. Dear members of the Norwalk Board of Education, Several newspapers recently reported that the Norwalk Board of Education would be hiring a former Superintendent of the Hartford Public Schools (HPS). As a … Continue reading Letter to Norwalk Board of Education →

CT Charter Renewal Update: The Accountability is Still Flexible

The State Department of Education has recommended to the State Board that six existing charter schools get renewed. Today, Wednesday, May 6, 2015, the State Board of Education will vote to approve (or not) those recommendations to renew the charters of six existing state charter schools in Connecticut. My quick reading is that charter school … Continue reading CT Charter Renewal Update: The Accountability is Still Flexible →

Connecticut Schools Excelling without Testing?

When it comes to standardized testing, there are a number of stories we can tell. One of the dominant stories about education goes something like this: 'Kids must take standardized tests every year or else we can't hold adult accountable for learning - all kids, every year, in all schools. Parents need to know how … Continue reading Connecticut Schools Excelling without Testing? →

Charter School Renewal in CT: The Accountability Is Flexible

Over the next few months, the public and Legislature will debate whether charter schools in Connecticut are sufficiently regulated or not. The State Department of Education and Board of Education will also decide whether or not to renew six (6) existing charter schools in Connecticut. Already this legislative session, there is a bill for a … Continue reading Charter School Renewal in CT: The Accountability Is Flexible →

“Mix It Up” at Lunch Day at Mary Hooker School

"How would it be if there were no rules?," one female student asked at the lunch table. A male student cautiously responded with, "crazy;" and another yelled, "awesome!" For "Mix It Up" at Lunch Day two weeks ago on October 28, the rules changed at Environmental Sciences Magnet School (ESM) at Mary Hooker in Hartford's … Continue reading “Mix It Up” at Lunch Day at Mary Hooker School →

Visualizing Diversity in Connecticut School Choice Programs

Today Elizabeth Horton Sheff and Jim Boucher wrote an op-ed entitled, "State Must Do More to Ensure Education Equity" in the CT Mirror. They recommend interdistrict magnet schools and Open Choice as the main school choice programs that the state should use to continue school desegregation efforts in the Hartford area. As you can see … Continue reading Visualizing Diversity in Connecticut School Choice Programs →

Revisiting Connecticut Charter School Enrollment

Last June, the Connecticut State Board of Education approved increases in enrollment at new and existing charter schools - from 7,132 students in 2013-14 to 8,183 students in 2014-15, a proposed increase of 1,051 students. But the final enrollment numbers changed a bit in the last several months because the State Board of Education changed … Continue reading Revisiting Connecticut Charter School Enrollment →

What We Don’t Know About CT Graduation Rates: 5 Questions

Recent reports about improved graduation rates could be great news if a larger portion of high school students in Connecticut are graduating better prepared for future adult and academic life. It might also be good news if it means that our state's public schools are better prepared to serve our high school students. As Mark … Continue reading What We Don’t Know About CT Graduation Rates: 5 Questions →

Watching Public School Choice in Connecticut

Last Saturday, May 17, 2014, was the 60th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education court decision that struck down de jure school segregation. That same day, Mira Debs, Prof. Jack Dougherty, and I gave a presentation entitled, "Who Chooses Magnet Schools? Findings from Three Studies in Hartford, CT." So what's the connection between … Continue reading Watching Public School Choice in Connecticut →