Earlier this week, Rae Ann Knopf of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform wrote an op-ed opposing raised bill SB 1097, urging Connecticut to “stay strong” in support of the so-called Big Six corporate education reform agenda. Other than a lot of dramatic hyperbole, she neglected to actually say much about what was the matter with the bill.

Continue reading "OP-ED | Legislate Based On Research, Not Hyperbole" »

Tags: CCER, Teacher Evaluations, SB1097, Sarah Darer Littman, VAM, MET, Thomas Scarice, Madison, PEAC, Big Six, JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP, RTTT, dh

While receiving additional money for schools is always a cause for celebration, it’s worth taking notice when a small group of people accept a grant that results in additional costs for the state’s taxpayers without that grant having been voted upon by an elected body. It’s also worth taking notice when, in fact, the grant is purposely structured in such a way to avoid the scrutiny of an elected body. Back in December, when everyone was applauding the $5 million grant the Gates Foundation made to Hartford Schools, I had a few questions, particularly about MAP testing, and the expense of its associated technology.

Continue reading "OP-ED | An Expensive ‘Gift’ for Taxpayers Without Accountability" »

Tags: Hartford Public Schools, Pedro Segarra, SBAC testing, MAP testing, Gates Foundation, State Board of Education, Hartford Board of Education, Robert Cotto Jr, Matthew K Poland, Sarah Darer Littman, dh

One of my more vivid memories of childhood was my first encounter with blatant anti-Semitism. A previously mild-mannered friend came into school and said to me and a friend, “YOU KILLED JESUS!” I still remember the anger and hatred on her face, and the utter and complete confusion I felt after her sudden, inexplicable transformation from friend to accuser.

“But I couldn’t have,” I protested, confused and deeply hurt by her words. “I wasn’t even born then!”

Even at the age of eight, in all my innocence and naiveté, I was trying to combat irrational hatred and bigotry with logic and facts.

Continue reading "OP-ED | No H8 In My Backyard" »

Tags: Pamela Geller, Metro North, Peter Tesei, GOP, Scott Frantz, jihad, American Freedom Defense Initiative, Southern Policy Law Center, Anti-Defamation League, hate, racism, fear, dh