By Rick Green

Published by Courant.com, February 21, 2012

By J.C Reindl

Published by New London Day, February 15, 2012

Hartford - Five education interest groups and the state’s leading business association joined hands at the Capitol complex today to announce their “basic agreement” on the principals of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s education reform proposals.

“Our organizations have some different positions on different issues,” said Joseph Cirasuolo, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, “but on the following issues, we have some common agreements.”

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By Rick Green

Published by Courant.com, February 15, 2012

Says ‘Collaborative Approach’ In Education Can Dilute True Reform

Everybody keeps talking about common ground and finding consensus during this year of education reform, but the arrival of lightning-rod education reformer Michelle Rhee is an important reminder for all of us.

Making real changes in how we run our public schools means plenty of folks won’t be happy.

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By Christine Stuart

Published by CT News Junkie, February 14, 2012

A diverse group of stakeholders in this year’s education debate got together Tuesday and laid out their own agenda for education reform. Some of the proposals are similar to what Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed last week during his budget address, while others take a slightly different approach.

The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Connecticut Council for Education Reform, and the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now gathered at a Capitol press conference to talk about their shared goals.

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By Kathleen Megan

Published by The Hartford Courant, February 14, 2012

In recent months, education-focused groups – one after the next – suggested reforms they hope to see addressed by the state legislature and on Tuesday six of those agencies announced shared goals.

“Our organizations have different positions on different issues and we will probably continue to have,” said Joseph Cirasuolo, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. He outlined areas where the groups agree, including efforts to raise the level of teaching and school leadership, improving teacher preparation and certification programs and supporting the new state Board of Education guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation.

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By Rick Green

Published by The Hartford Courant, February 14, 2012

When a coalition of education and business advocacy groups stood up Tuesday to endorse Gov. Dannel Malloy’s education reform proposals, the real question was how far they would go to push for change they say is needed.

Compromise makes the world go round at the capitol, but finding common ground may not lead to eliminating the country’s worst-in-the-nation achievement gap.

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By Eileen FitzGerald

Published by Danbury News-Times, February 14, 2012

The leaders of six state organizations stood together Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to offer what some consider an unprecedented declaration of unity over thorny issues in school reform.

Representatives from the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Connecticut Council for Education Reform and the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now announced they plan to lead reform with one voice and seek legislation on six key issues.

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By Michelle Puffer

Published in Waterbury Republican-American, February 14, 2012

HARTFORD — Six of the most important groups involved in shaping Connecticut education policy will come together Tuesday to announce joint priorities for reform.

The meeting at the state Capitol comes as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has put an ambitious array of education proposals before lawmakers. Paired with $128 million in new spending, Malloy is advocating more direct state involvement troubled schools, and politically difficult teacher tenure reforms.

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By Stephanie Reitz

Published by the Boston Globe, February 14, 2012

Groups representing school boards, superintendents, business groups and education reform activists are joining to announce their shared priorities for the new Connecticut legislative session.

Representatives of the six groups will meet Tuesday to discuss their concerns about closing the achievement gap between wealthy and poor students.

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Associated Press

Published by New Haven Register, February 14, 2012

HARTFORD — Groups representing school boards, superintendents, business groups and education reform activists are joining to announce their shared priorities for the new Connecticut legislative session.

Representatives of the six groups will meet Tuesday to discuss their concerns about closing the achievement gap between wealthy and poor students.

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