Published by Hartford Business Journal, July 12, 2011

Former NewAlliance Bank chief R. Peyton Patterson and other Connecticut business leaders have formed a Hartford nonprofit aimed at closing the state’s education achievement gap.

The Connecticut Council for Education Reform is the result of bipartisan blue-ribbon commission established by former Gov. M. Jodi Rell to come up with solutions for boosting academic achievement among students from low-income households.

Joining Patterson on the new council’s board is media executive Steven J. Simmons, who chaired the Commission on Educational Achievement.

The council’s aims include fostering relationships with the Connecticut Department of Education, school districts, innovative non-profits, and funders to help implement the reforms.

“Governor Malloy has indicated that the 2012 legislative session will be ‘the education session,’” said Patterson, who chairs the council. “Our goal is for Connecticut to become the top performing state with the smallest achievement gap; thereby providing all students with a world-class education.”

For more information, www.ctedreform.org

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