By Lisa Chamoff
Steven Simmons credits his public school education while growing up on Long Island, N.Y., with instilling his lifelong interest in learning and a strong work ethic…
About a year-and-a-half ago, Simmons said he became aware of the achievement gap. After dozens of phone calls, meetings and conversations, Simmons developed the concept of a committee to examine the situation. He then met with Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who agreed to appoint the commission.
Simmons said the commission’s members, which include CEOs, a former teacher and other businesspeople with interest in education issues, visited schools and met with nearly 200 educational experts, including officials at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and in Delaware, which was one of the first states to receive Race to the Top funding. The commission also held six public hearings around the state.
