New Haven, Connecticut –The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER), today released the following statement in response to Governor Malloy’s letter to the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC), and to PEAC’s decision to separate the rollout of the Smarter Balanced Assessments and the System for Educator Evaluation and Development (SEED).
We support Gov. Malloy and PEAC in the separating of test results and teacher evaluations in the 2014-2015 school year. Since the Smarter Balanced Assessments have not yet been properly field tested, we recognize that this practical adjustment in time frame is necessary before test results can impact teacher evaluations. We agree with Governor Malloy that it is “more important that we get it right than to do it fast and all at once.”
However, CCER maintains that–after this additional year of flexibility–it is critical for Connecticut to commit itself to accurate and timely implementation of a statewide evaluation system that is based, in part, on Smarter Balanced Assessments. As developed by PEAC, SEED, is a sound and balanced system designed to provide the professional development and supports that our educators need to be evaluated and to improve.
It is imperative that the State sustains the reform efforts from 2012 and 2013 by moving forward with full, statewide implementation of the evaluation system after this added year of flexibility. That is why we urge that the Smarter Balanced Assessments be incorporated into SEED by the 2015-2016 school year.
“Transformative change is difficult,” said Jeffrey Villar, executive director of CCER and former superintendent of a district that successfully piloted the SEED model. “But it’s our job–as educators and as adult stakeholders in the public school system—to make sure that we are doing what is best for kids.”
About the Connecticut Council for Education Reform
The Connecticut Council for Education Reform (CCER) is a statewide, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organization that works to close the achievement gap while raising academic outcomes for all students in Connecticut. The achievement gap is the disparity in academic achievement between minority and children and their peers. We support reforms that advance best practices and innovations in education to ensure that every child has an exceptional education. We do our work primarily by: (1) advocating for state policies and state and local practices that research shows have the best chance of raising achievement for high-need student populations; (2) working directly with districts to build strong systems that will support reform efforts; and (3) raising public awareness about the need to 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
