Reform Alert

REFORM ALERT

In the words of one legislator tonight, our rallies are having a tremendous impact with nearly 2,000 teachers turning out at the State Capitol to make their voices heard. Please go to cea.org to view photos, videos, and news stories about the impactful rallies.

Second, there is word tonight that top officials are working on a revision to Substitute Bill 24, the alternative to the governor’s education bill. Please pay careful attention to our emails in the near future since breaking news on education reform legislation appears imminent.

Please read the story below from our Communications Dept. on our successful rallies.

Educators’ Concerns Continue to Gain Serious Traction
Teachers rally again tonight at State Capitol

House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey told teachers tonight that he and his colleagues are concerned about the “scale, speed, and scope” of the governor’s education reform proposal since in ways it is “very much untested.”

Sharkey addressed 800 teachers as they rallied at the State Capitol to urge legislators to get reform done right. “We’ve heard you,” Sharkey told the teachers assembled. He explained that he and a handful of other top officials tonight are working on revisions to Substitute Bill 24, the alternative to the governor’s proposal that was approved by the Education Committee in late March.

According to Sharkey, the job of that handful of people is to make sure that the education reform that ultimately gets enacted does not happen “too fast, too big, or too quickly.” Sharkey continued, “We all care first and foremost about the kids.” 

Tonight’s event mirrored yesterday’s impactful rally where teachers emphasized that their voices need to be prominent in education reform because they are in the classroom every day.

About two dozen legislators broke away briefly from tonight’s voting inside the State Capitol to join the teachers’ rally.  Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Len Fasano told the teachers, “You being here has a tremendous impact. To try and squeeze this education reform debate into this short session is ludicrous.”

Teachers regard Governor Malloy's proposal as a set of untested and misguided ideas.  To date, nearly 2,000 teachers from across Connecticut have demonstrated in a show of solidarity.  They are united in their belief that the quality of the education reform bill that lawmakers ultimately enact will determine the future of educational and economic opportunity in Connecticut. 

State Representative Mary Fritz told teachers, “You are the first ones on the line for all of us. I hope the final bill will not hurt you.”

At one point during the rally, someone in an upper floor of the State Capitol building opened a window displaying a sign that read: “Malloy—4 years too long.”

According to State Representative Roberta Willis, it was unfortunate that the reform debate began this year with a focus on tenure. “It took the conversation in the wrong direction,” she said.

Berlin teacher Kristine Jutras attended tonight’s rally wanting to set the record straight. “The governor says teachers agree with his version of reform, and we don’t,” she said. She added “I’m a parent, and I talk all the time with my students’ parents. We want reform done right.”  Her colleague, Danbury teacher Melinda Scott, said, “We try every day to do the right things for kids. We’ve got to stand up.”

CEA President Phil Apruzzese told the crowd tonight, "Fortunately, the legislature is moving in the right direction on education. The Education Committee has put forth an alternative to the governor's proposal. While this legislation is a work in progress—actually being discussed by top officials at this hour— the approach taken by the Education Committee is cause for optimism."

CEA Executive Director Mary Loftus Levine said, “We must never, never give up.”

Themes were similar at last night’s rally 

South Windsor teacher David Olio says he wants to become an even better teacher, but threatening him with losing his job isn’t going to work.  He’s supportive of legislation that would provide a sound and productive approach to professional development.

South Windsor teacher Tim Zeuschner said that unions have a valuable role to play in school improvement.  One of his concerns focuses on the Malloy proposal that would concentrate unprecedented authority in the hands of the education commissioner.

Bridgeport teacher Gary Peluchette, who is also president of the city’s teachers’ union, said he’s concerned that for-profit companies would end up in charge of public schools under the Malloy proposal.

Top legislators joined teachers in calling for meaningful education reform. Senate President Donald Williams, Jr. assured teachers that he knows it’s valuable to “hear from those in the trenches” because they are “on the frontlines.”  Williams noted that when it comes to the education of our kids we can’t afford to get it wrong.

Speaker of the House Christopher Donovan said teachers’ voices have to count because “when all the politicians are gone, it’s going to be a teacher in a classroom with a kid.”  

North Haven teacher James Eager said, “I see my colleagues every day that I’m in awe of—seeing how hard they work and how much they do.  I just don’t think people realize it.”

Berlin teacher Elizabeth Trojanowski attended Tuesday’s rally with her daughter. She said, “I want to support my profession. I want to support my colleagues. I want my daughter to get the best education possible.”