The League of Women Voters of Connecticut appreciates the opportunity to comment today on SB 24 and the initiatives it contains aimed at improving education across the state.  

We believe that under most circumstances local communities should retain control of the instructional programs and spending allocations in their schools. When a substantial number of students in a district are failing to attain state and federal achievement goals, it is appropriate for the state to step in and work with the district to analyze the problem and seek improvement.  If the problem is particularly acute, however, the state is justified in adopting extraordinary measures directed at raising levels of achievement.  Unfortunately, in Connecticut today the problem is acute and longstanding in too many of our schools, and such extraordinary measures are definitely called for.  We therefore support the governor’s Commissioner’s Network, Talent Development, and other initiatives designed to support intensive intervention, improved instruction, increased innovation, and improved college readiness.  These measures are mainly and properly targeted at the state’s lowest performing districts, but many will benefit students all across the state as well.
   

To:  CGA Appropriations Committee on Department of Education Appropriations, for February 21, 2012  Public Hearing

From:  Katherine Wilson, School Finance Specialist
Re:  HB 5014 AA Making Adjustments to State Expenditures and Revenues for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2013 

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut appreciates the opportunity to comment today on HB 5014 and the initiatives it contains aimed at improving education across the state.  

We believe that under most circumstances local communities should retain control of the instructional programs and spending allocations in their schools. When a substantial number of students in a district are failing to attain state and federal achievement goals, it is appropriate for the state to step in and work with the district to analyze the problem and seek improvement.  If the problem is particularly acute, however, the state is justified in adopting extraordinary measures directed at raising levels of achievement.  Unfortunately, in Connecticut today the problem is acute and longstanding in too many of our schools, and such extraordinary measures are definitely called for.  We therefore support the governor’s Commissioner’s Network, Talent Development, and other initiatives designed to support intensive intervention, improved instruction, increased innovation, and improved college readiness.  These measures are mainly and properly targeted at the state’s lowest performing districts, but many will benefit students all across the state as well.

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