New Haven, Connecticut – The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER), today released the following statement in response to the news that Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner Stefan Pryor intend to seek flexibility for implementation of new statewide standardized tests.
We support Governor Malloy and Commissioner Pryor’s decision to seek flexibility in implementing the new Common Core State Standards-aligned Smarter Balanced assessments. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) encourage in-depth learning and mastery of rigorous subject matter, and implementing the CCSS is critical to preparing Connecticut’s students to compete in a global economy. We understand that the successful implementation of the CCSS requires the alignment of curriculum and instruction, as well as professional development for teachers and administrators. We are pleased that, for the first time ever, funding for Common Core implementation was included in the 2013-2015 biennium budget, and we expect that the State Department of Education will use this flexibility wisely to ensure that teachers, administrators and students are all well-prepared for full implementation of the Smarter Balanced assessments in 2014. It is important to give districts the opportunity to adjust to these new changes without losing sight of the education policy reforms that Connecticut has worked so hard to achieve.
About the Connecticut Council for Education Reform
The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) is a statewide, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works to close the achievement gap and raise academic outcomes for all students in Connecticut. The achievement gap is the disparity in academic achievement between children from low-income families and children of color and their peers. We do our work primarily by advocating for state policies and state and local practices that research shows have the best chance of raising achievement for high-need student populations. We support reforms that advance best practices and innovations in education to ensure that every child has an exceptional education. Through public awareness, education, and engagement, we seek to broaden support for these efforts and affect long term sweeping change in the public education system. Our Board of Directors is comprised of prominent business and civic leaders who are deeply committed to our mission.
For more information on CCER, go to www.ctedreform.org.
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Contact: Nicki Perkins
Nicki.Perkins@ctedreform.org
C: 203.506.5799
O: 203.859.6615
