REFORM ALERT – More than 1,000 teachers stand up for education

REFORM ALERT – More than 1,000 teachers stand up for education

1) Teachers make a powerful statement at rally—More of the same needed at Wednesday’s rally and legislators will be in session.

2) Advocacy critical in final weeks – Pressure needed to get reform right.

1)    Teachers make a powerful statement at rally—More of the same needed at Wednesday’s rally and legislators will be in session.

Thank you to the more than one thousand teachers from across the state who filled the lawn at the State Capitol earlier this evening to let their voices be heard at the CEA- sponsored rally. Watch video and see pictures at cea.org.

Teachers made a powerful statement—teachers’ voices need to be prominent in education reform because they are in the classroom every day and know what needs to be done to improve student performance.

Tonight’s show of support for students and the teaching profession is sure to leave a lasting impression on legislators as they continue the critical debate over the best way to improve education in Connecticut. As you know, closed-door meetings on SB24 have occurred in recent days—without teacher representation—and anything can happen.  That’s why our work isn’t over yet.  We are hoping for the same great turnout—or even better— tomorrow night.  Legislators will be in session and many may join us at tomorrow night’s rally.  If you haven’t signed up for tomorrow’s rally, please do so and share this poster with your colleagues.

Sign up today and join your colleagues at the CEA sponsored rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 25. Let legislators hear your concerns about education reform. We need to make another powerful impression on our state legislators.

Bus transportation is available from cities and towns across the state. Some buses are already filled, but many more still have seats available. 

Sign up at cea.org, under upcoming events, or log in here to participate, and stand up for children, teachers, and public education.

2) Advocacy critical in final weeks – Pressure needed to get reform right.

We urge you to continue to ADVOCATE for students and the teaching profession. Make those calls. Send those emails. Write those letters. And of course, attend tomorrow’s RALLY to show our strength.

Contact your legislators using the link and phone numbers below, and tell them a better way to improve education starts by listening to teachers. Now is also the time to set up back home meetings with your legislators, or call and invite them to meet you at the rally in Hartford.

www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

Senate Democrats 1-800-842-1420               Senate Republicans  1-800-842-1421
House Democrats 1-800-842-1902                House Republicans  1-800-842-1423

Teachers support parts of Substitute SB #24, specifically elements that do the following:

• Restore collective bargaining to enhance teaching and learning conditions.
• Decouple evaluation, certification, and salary schedules.
• Improve the teacher evaluation system by ensuring that evaluation plans will include collaboration, professional development supports to continually improve teaching, and the validation of a new rating system.
• Enhance teacher standards by recognizing and requiring a master’s degree for the professional certificate.
• Create a new distinguished educator designation.
• Provide funding for needy districts for wrap-around services (social-emotional supports, family support, and physical health and wellness) and family resource centers.
• Create 1,000 new pre-K slots.

Substitute SB #24 can be improved with the following actions:

·         Elevate the teaching profession by instituting a fair, streamlined teacher dismissal process with just cause, due process, and a final and binding hearing—one afforded other employees in the public sector.

·         Eliminate any reference to “money follows the child” funding, since cash-starved schools cannot afford to lose resources.

·         Require accountability and certification for superintendents.

·         Ensure that charter schools serve the same academically diverse student populations as public schools.

·         Encourage more parental and community involvement in schools.

·         Add more literacy programs in schools.

Together we can get education reform done right.

Thank you for all your efforts and hope to see you at tomorrow’s rally.

Phil Apruzzese                                    Mary Loftus Levine
CEA President                                    CEA Executive Director