More education reforms urgently needed, says CBIA board

In March the CBIA board adopted a resolution urging the state to make additional education reforms. The board expressed concern “that Connecticut has not focused sufficient attention and resources on raising the bar for all students and that current policies have not substantially closed the achievement gap for urban poor and minority students ...”

The board directed CBIA to run a full-page ad in the state’s major newspapers advocating these reforms:

Ensure that quality preschool and full-day kindergarten programs exist for all at-risk students in Connecticut’s priority school districts, as proposed by the governor, to give them an effective start in school.

Expand charter schools and magnet schools that demonstrate improved performance for students. Remove the cap on charter school attendance and provide equitable resources — matching those of sending districts — for per-pupil operating and facility expenditures.

Adopt significant new initiatives based on recommendations of the governor’s CONNvene task force to attract students to study and develop proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math.

Expand the Connecticut State Scholars Program to all technical high schools and additional priority school districts to promote more rigorous courses for students and reduce remediation in postsecondary education.

Expand the Vanguard School Initiative to identify more high-performing schools, replicate their best practices and provide technical assistance to schools in need of improvement.

Expand school-to-career programs to ensure that more young people gain critical academic, technical and employability skills and have access to job shadowing and internship opportunities.

Expand the Alternate Route to Certification Program to prepare more highly qualified teachers from a variety of backgrounds to meet the upcoming shortages caused by retiring baby boomers. Support a differentiated pay structure to attract educators in areas of need and subject matter scarcity.

Continue support for the accountability measures called for under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, with flexibility in conducting meaningful assessments that actually improve, not just record, student achievement. Advocate for adequate federal funds to successfully underwrite these efforts.