Commission Looks to Close the Achievement Gap
by Christine Stuart | Aug 30, 2010 2:13pm
(17) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Education
They don’t have any recommendations yet, but a commission appointed by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell wanted to remind families heading back to school this week that it is working on solving the state’s achievement gap.
In Connecticut, the gap between rich and poor students is wider than that of any other state, the Connecticut Commission on Education Achievement pointed out at a Capitol press conference Monday. Studies show that 4th and 8th grade low-income students are, on average, three grade levels behind their wealthier counterparts in math and reading.
The group is focusing on the achievement gap from an income standpoint, but earlier this year the legislature tackled the issue by focusing on the gap between white and minority students. It was even able to get legislation passed that will give parents more power over their child’s education. It gives parents of failing schools a voice in the process to reconstitute a school.
“Poverty is directly correlated with low educational achievement,” Steven Simmons, CEO and Chairman of Simmons/Patriot Media and Communications, said Monday.
Pei Pei Ma, co-executive director of the commission, said that by focusing on race it’s easy for people to dismiss the issue of the achievement gap as an urban issue. However, when the debate is framed around income the issue is broadened to include suburban and rural communities.
For example, in towns such as West Hartford and Greenwich students score higher on the 4th grade mastery tests, but the achievement gap between poor and rich students in those two communities is larger than those in Hartford and New Haven.
Simmons, who chairs the Commission on Educational Achievement, said the group which was formed in March will come out with a list of recommendations on how to close the achievement gap on Oct. 20.
Asked for a sneak preview Simmons said Connecticut is among the top half-dozen states in the country based on what it spends per pupil on education.
“We think its not necessarily about spending more money per child,” he said.
He said a lot of the money the state is spending now can be reallocated in a more effective way. Simmons acknowledged the commission is looking at how education is funded in the state and that changes concerning how money flows to municipalities, instead of the students, will be looked at. He refused to tip his hat on the issue.
“We found that perhaps the most important thing in increasing educational achievement is having effective teaching. So we’re looking at attracting the best teachers to our schools.”
“We’re looking at how we can get the best school leaders, principals, superintendents to lead schools,” Simmons said. “We’re also looking at quite frankly the finance system in this state.”
He said the group is also looking at pre-kindergarten as a way to help resolve the achievement gap.
He said a lot of the money the state is spending now can be reallocated in a more effective way.
(17) Comments
posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 30, 2010 6:16pm
Martha H | August 30, 2010 3:48pm
Hmmmm….
A) Work to address the root causes of urban poverty.
- OR -
B) Fire all the teachers, privatize all the schools, and then test, test, test, test, test, test, test, tes…..
“Gee…. I choose B, Johnny! What do I
I choose this.
CROUSE: Why young black men don’t graduate
Someone tell Judge Walker it takes a mommy and a daddy.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/23/why-young-black-men-dont-graduate/
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 30, 2010 6:56pm
Cut the crap. Vouchers for religious schools have met with great success in Milwaukee and other test markets in Ohio.
The grad rates in religious High Schools accepting vouchers eclipse those of public schools.
Chicago almost passed the program this year albeit with some severe restrictions.
As researchers note test scores in grades 1-8 aren’t the only measure: it’s the graduation rates when vouchers are extended to religious high schools and the numbers of students going on to college.
Find a reason besides secular bigotry and union politics not to adopt the program. In 2002 the SCOTUS came on board.
Speaking as a certified teacher I think one fact has to be accepted: many Parochial schools with uncertified staff outperform schools with 100% certified staff. The relationship between certification and academic perfomance has always been a tricky one. I wish it was cut and dried. It isn’t. Careful study might get you thinking it’s a sham or adds little value and that weaning through uncertified substitute teachers on the job works as well if not better than weaning through anonymous certified resumes.
posted by: and 1 | August 31, 2010 7:23am
I testified at the Bridgeport Hearing and mentioned “YOLA” (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles)- which is being implemented by Gustavo Dudamel of Venezula. I also mentioned how I participated in a walk with Jesse Jackson during the 90,s. I brought up during my testimony, some of Rev Jackson’s statements then and how they remain true today.
We have an arts community here in this state that is struggling under the pressure of financial instability- we also have examples of Los Angeles as well as other areas in our country where there are programs when school is not in session to teach the discipline of various arts. IN OTHER WORDS we can see very good examples of how to make education work for our youth and still we continue to re-invent the wheel. We remain back in the 90’s when we started talking about the education gap (perhaps maybe even worse off). If children are kept busy learning then they will be less likely to fail in school (idle hands and minds???). Also why not include Dan Malloy in all of this? Stamford is a city with a very good school system and as mayor he had a lot to do with that.
posted by: CT Jim | August 31, 2010 7:25am
Once again Goatee is throwing unsubstantiated figures out like he is some sort of scholar.
His claim that these vouchers work is pure BS plain and simple.
I will give you a sample were religious schools don’t help at all.
My nephew graduated from a Baptist High school in Central CT.
because there was very little science taught and ZERO evolution taught the only college that would accept him without taken 10 classes for zero credit. Was the Baptist Bible college in Pennsylvania.
After graduating with a degree in education he couldn’t get a job in public schools because he had little to no schooling in science. He ended up in Southern Va. in a you guessed it Baptist high school making less than 1/2 what he would have made as a regular teacher.
So goatee you want to encourage taxpayers to give vouchers to these places so our kids will be slaves of the religious right???? Cut the crap!
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 8:22am
Using staff that is less than 70% certified the unions hate these schools with a passion. And yes, they are SCOTUS legal.
One Ohio legislator wants a 0% certified Parochial School as a comparitive model to the more expensive public schools and secular charter schools.
..... The proportion of Milwaukee voucher students graduating on time rose from 62 to 85 percent from 2003 to 2007, compared to public school graduation rates increasing from 49 to 58 percent. As Wolf points out, most voucher students attend Catholic or Lutheran secondary schools .....
http://www.stats.org/stories/2008/tes_scores_vouchers_oct20_08.html
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 8:23am
Even Obama’s hometown of Chicago went the voucher route for parochial schools this year—in the Senate anyway.
The Chicago Trib touted the program that put the future of children above petty politics too soon. The House voted it down.
The kids sytematically abused by politicans and unions in CT extends much further than DCF.
Bridgeport’s Mayor last year spoke in favor of vouchers for parochial schools for the right reason:
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 8:24am
Give Parochial Schools in Hartford half the money public schools get, some voucher kids, and track them for 12 years and see how many graduate and go on to college.
Look at the example of Cristo Rey Jesuit HS in Chicago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristo_Rey_Jesuit_High_School_(Chicago)
There are variations of this model using vouchers at half the public school Per Capita. The kids graduate with college money, with job skills, and overall the experience costs less than a public education.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16242487/site/newsweek/
CT needs to cut the crap and adopt models that are working.
Vouchers to Parochial Schools should be a tool in the arsenal.
Of course, there is that union VIG thing and trading off the lives of inner city kids to keep the VIG flowing.
posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 31, 2010 8:57am
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 9:23am
Even Obama’s hometown of Chicago went the voucher route for parochial schools this year—in the Senate anyway
Obama and the Charter School Sugar Daddies.
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/obama-and-charter-school-sugar-daddies
posted by: CT Jim | August 31, 2010 9:47am
Goatee,
Don’t you have any stats that DONT come from right wing sources???
That said fact is that there are at LEAST as many horror stories coming from communities that tried vouchers and they failed miserably.
I don’t know where you got your PHD but a 50 is FAILING.
That’s not even mentioning the corruption that follows the voucher.
There have been hundreds of cases where people no longer living in the state or municipality as well as some not even living coming up on the roles of these so-called religious schools. I guess tho shall not steal doesn’t refer to stealing from taxpayers.
Also Goatee I for one wouldn’t want my kids around a priest for 8 hours a day. 
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 11:34am
Walmart supports shcool choice.
http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/educationreform/index.asp
As does the Gates Foundation (Microsoft)
It doesn’t mean they support vouchers as the only form of school choice.
I can’t find anything that corroborates the demand that the electoral process in DC be circumvented by Walmart. I did find the mayor wanted to appoint the Deputy Mayor in charge of Charter Schools rather than a stable proven non-elected administrator who could spend several years as administrator. That wasn’t a Walmart problem. That was politician playing City Charter games.
Hedge Fund darlings like Edison Schools and EDI Education Alternatives have been failures.
The case study of EAI in Baltimore is well known.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JSD/is_1_54/ai_77204657/
posted by: CT Jim | August 31, 2010 12:45pm
Great Walmart Supports school vouchers. LMAO!!!!!
So now when these poor people have to go to work at the only store in the county which by the way pays close to nothing,they can bring their kids with them and for a cool $6,000 a year per kid a low paid Walmart associate will be teaching them how to drive a fork lift in the ware house. Don’t for get the voucher. LOL.
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 2:04pm
You could have your kids around SEBAC employees 24/7 Jimbo. That’s the beauty of school choice and vouchers.
Here’s the problem Jimbo: a well implemented voucher program like Milwaukee where the unions weren’t able to tank it are not getting repealed.
Taxpeyrs love it and want more of it and less union!
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/227642/saving-milwaukees-best/editors
.... Taxpayers currently hand over $13,468 per student to Milwaukee Public Schools, compared to just $6,607 per student in the school-choice program. In 2008 alone, school choice saved the public almost $32 million, according to Robert M. Costrel of the University of Arkansas. Since 1994, the figure is $180 million. The savings would be even larger if more students used vouchers. ....
posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 31, 2010 3:34pm
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 12:34pm
Walmart supports shcool choice.
http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/educationreform/index.asp
As does the Gates Foundation (Microsoft)
It doesn’t mean they support vouchers as the only form of school choice.
But they support this.
The Faces of School Reform
By John Tarleton .
http://www.indypendent.org/2010/01/29/faces-of-school-reform/
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 5:39pm
Good link 3/5ths.
I can’t really comment in the intentions of some others but the Bill Gates types I understand.
I transitioned from High School and post-Secondary to Technical Training in the 90s. The IT field was really booming in the mid 90s. There was an incredible shortage of people who understood Novell networking, Windows NT and Visual Basic and then the web.
High Schools should have been all over Microsoft Office and Windows and HTML and Visual Basic a full 10 years before they were.
The problem wasn’t the students. They would come to Microsoft Training Centers and pay $8,000 to get training they should have gotten in High School (The Communty Colleges were way slow on technical training too).
Gates ran an education empire for about 5 years. There were no shortages of jobs. i know that’s what’s driving him. Modernizing schools like in Bloomfield to offer current and employable technical job oriented training.
posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 31, 2010 6:45pm
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | August 31, 2010 6:39pm
I can’t really comment in the intentions of some others but the Bill Gates types I understand
Gates ran an education empire for about 5 years. There were no shortages of jobs. i know that’s what’s driving him. Modernizing schools like in Bloomfield to offer current and employable technical job oriented training.
Gates is nothing but another corporatist.He talks a good game about education,But did you know that he want to increase the H1B Visa program that would bring foreign workers to the US,Then he could pay them less then the american workers.
Bill Gates Targets Visa Rules for Tech Workers.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88154016
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | September 1, 2010 9:56am
There’s another angle here 3/5.
Gates went for the Visa no question. How about the 1 million jobs and growing that were lost due to outsourcing. Why did companies outsource? Because teachers did not do their job in HS. Other countries were more nimble more flexible.
THere was a story that ran in the 90s about a Harrford school that bought a bunch of computers (I think they were 386 models) and sat in their boxes at a Middle School for over 5 yearw—Pentiums and the Internet were then in vogue).
I know they sign a contract. It’s not their job to retrain and modernize their technical skills at a lighning pace. Glacial is more like it.
Recently I worked for a stae agency and one employee bragged to me “I take a class every year I took Microsoft Word 1, 2, and 3 and Excel 1 and 2 and Internet Explorer , and Power Point 1 and Outlook and Windows 1 and 2. That was my 10-year education plan.
The fact is I think the teacher’s unions should be sued for those H1B Visas and held contractually liable.
posted by: Martha H | August 30, 2010 2:48pm
Hmmmm….
A) Work to address the root causes of urban poverty.
- OR -
B) Fire all the teachers, privatize all the schools, and then test, test, test, test, test, test, test, tes…..
“Gee…. I choose B, Johnny! What do I win??”