NEW HAVEN, CT – “The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) supports Governor Malloy’s plan to significantly change and improve the way in which Connecticut attracts, develops and retains effective teachers and school leaders. Governor Malloy’s proposal calls for setting higher standards for students who enroll in educator preparation programs while also providing financial incentives to recruit top students into the profession and into our lowest-achieving schools. Additionally, such changes will increase the quality and accountability of educator preparation programs to ensure that graduates of these programs are fully-prepared to succeed as classroom teachers and school and district leaders. The initiative also addresses an often overlooked need in principal and superintendent preparation and development. It calls for partnerships with organizations to provide innovative strategies in developing teachers and leaders who are prepared to effectively address the learning challenges of Connecticut’s high-priority students and schools. Governor Malloy’s allocation of $7.5 million dollars will enable districts to provide customized professional development opportunities that have a known track record for increasing teacher effectiveness in reaching high-priority student populations like low-income and English Language Learners. Further, the Malloy Administration’s plan builds upon the announcement made last week by calling for new career opportunities for teachers and providing ”Master” teachers with elevated responsibilities and additional pay. This proposal would establish critical links between state policies, educator preparation programs and the needs of the schools, communities and the students they serve.”

Rae Ann Knopf
Executive Director
Connecticut Council for Education Reform