State Officials Prepare to Work With Educators on Federal Application That Could Generate as Much as $200 Million for Public Schools

Despite fiscal challenges, state education officials are sounding a note of optimism about continued growth in student achievement and they are crediting Connecticut’s high quality teachers.  Listen to Deputy Commissioner George Coleman.

State Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan says ensuring that high quality math and science teachers are available to teach in needy school districts is a priority.  He will push to have districts form alliances where teacher tenure will be portable among towns and cities in the alliance.  Listen to Commissioner Mark McQuillan.

McQuillan and his top administrators made their remarks at the annual back to school meeting with school superintendents that was held this morning.  McQuillan is challenging educators to “stay the course” of the important education initiatives underway, while looking for every opportunity to innovate.   He says he thinks that all of these initiatives will add up to a great Race to the Top application – the federal competitive grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Listen to Commissioner McQuillan speak about the Race to the Top application.

McQuillan tried to rally school superintendents to reach even higher to meet new as well as persistent educational challenges.  He counted the following among them: improving achievement among students with limited English proficiency; expanding world language instruction into elementary schools; intensifying efforts around adolescent literacy; rethinking instruction to ensure its cultural relevancy; using charter schools more effectively; and proceeding with high school reform.