Clarifying Misconceptions About Governor Malloy’s Education Bill (SB 24)
With all of the coverage of Governor Malloy’s education bill, also known as SB 24, we’ve noticed that there are some misconceptions surrounding the content of the bill and what it actually proposes. Therefore, this is the first in a series of posts that seek to clarify some of the misconceptions and inaccuracies regarding interpretation of Governor Malloy’s Education Reform Bill (SB 24) that we’ve come across.
How a Bill Becomes a Law and the Role of the Public Hearing
Introduction of New Bills
Every new piece of legislation begins as a bill before a specific committee, depending on the subject matter of the bill. (For example, education related matters for grades K-12 would be introduced in the Education Committee of the General Assembly.)
Once the specific committee of cognizance receives and reviews a bill, the committee decides to take one of the following actions:
Our Thoughts on the Governor’s Call to Simplify Teacher Certification
Rae Ann Knopf, Executive Director of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform
We at the Connecticut Council for Education Reform applaud Governor Malloy for acting swiftly to eliminate unnecessary barriers faced by Boards of Education and Superintendents as they work to place the most effective teachers and principals in our schools. Revising Connecticut's teacher certification and employment policies as Malloy has proposed will facilitate the raising of student achievement by
helping to ensure that we have great teachers and leaders working side-by-side on behalf of Connecticut's children. Similarly, creating
flexibility in support of reciprocity with other states will open the doors for Connecticut schools to attract the best and brightest from across the country. These most recent proposals are highly aligned with many of CCER's 65+ policy recommendations on how to close Connecticut's achievement gap while raising academic excellence for all students. The momentum is truly building for meaningful education reform in Connecticut this year and we salute Governor Malloy and his administration for leading the way.
Education Reform Will Be Focus of Legislative Session
By: Dr. Joseph Cirasuolo, Executive Director of Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents
It has taken some time, but, the Connecticut education community has begun to accept the notion that real and fundamental change to our public education system is not only necessary, but essential if we want to help our children succeed. This is not the time to tinker around the edges, but to take major steps toward restructuring what we do, how we do it and who will take responsibility for improving student achievement in our state. We expect that education reform will be a major theme of the next session of the General Assembly and it is important that all of us engage in the discussion about how we can restore Connecticut’s place as a leader in public education and in student achievement.