Several Wall Street billionaires who have invested heavily in the expansion of charter schools contributed more than $200,000 to Democrats in the 2013-14 election cycle, helping Gov. Dannel P. Malloy secure re-election. The campaign contributors earned
their fortunes as hedge fund managers and private equity investors before earning reputations as "education philanthropists." They have helped bankroll charter school movements throughout the country, spending to influence elections and to support
advocacy movements.
Malloy opened this year's legislative session with a budget proposal that included $4.6 million in funding to open two new privately-managed charter schools, and an additional $17 million for new charter school seats in
the next two years. Funding for local school districts would have remained flat.
The charter school funding became a sticking point in budget negotiations this year after a legislative committee voted down the governor's proposal.
Had learning disability when there were no support programs
Growing up, I had learning disabilities that might have left me on the fringes. Back then, there were not programs to identify and support children with disabilities.
But luckily for me, there was the inspiring dedication and skill of the school teachers who touched my life, and there was the sheer willpower of a mother of 8 children.
Source: 2011 Connecticut State of the State Address
, Jan 5, 2011
Engage parents in local school governance councils
I refuse to accept the false choice that you're either "pro-reform," or "pro-teacher." I'm both. I'm pro-reform, as long as it doesn't mean just bashing teachers, and I'm pro-teacher as long as that doesn't just mean maintaining the status quo.
In the
state's recently-passed legislation designed to compete for Race to the Top money, one of the goals is to do just that: engage parents in a meaningful way. The bill establishes local school governance councils that include parents and help create
a sense of community that can make schooling more relevant to kids, and kids more connected to their community. However, these councils are only required for low-achieving schools. We should not stop there.
While governance councils are one tool for improving achievement, they are still a top-down approach to decision-making that limit involvement to only a few engaged parents. My administration will create opportunities for all parents to be involved.
I'd like to examine the feasibility of transitioning toward a new, smarter system of funding for all of our public schools where money follows children based on their needs. I'd also look to refocus state school funding by indexing foundation aid
to rising costs, adding measures of essential classroom resource equalization, and weighting more for pre-school and elementary grades where the greatest educational gains can be made.
Charter schools provide options within the public system
I'm a supporter of charter public schools, because they serve a different, very important function: they provide families with options within the public school system. During my time as Mayor, Stamford created two charter public schools. Their mission wa
to provide an option for students who have had trouble achieving success in other schools - and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. We should seek to expand charter schools that are fully funded by the districts in which they're located.