Closing the Achievement Gaps from Multiple Levels

Summit Stakeholders Planning Group Recommends Two State Level Teams

Nancy M. Cappello, Consultant, CT State Department of Education (CSDE)
David R. Grice, Consultant, SERC

Based on a recommendation from the Summit Stakeholders Planning Group, the CSDE and SERC convened two state level teams charged with specific issues in addressing Connecticut's achievement gaps. The teams initiated their work in March 2003 at the State Summit and have met regularly since that time. Final reports are expected to be submitted to the Stakeholders Group this fall.

Teacher and Personnel Preparation State Level Team
The State Board of Education initiated a comprehensive review of the Connecticut educator professional development continuum in December 2002, with proposals for a re-conceptualized continuum expected in November 2003. The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) specifically addresses the linkage between the federal and state roles in setting and maintaining requirements for highly qualified teachers and paraprofessionals. A highly qualified workforce is critical in Connecticut's efforts to close the achievement gaps, the primary challenge facing public education over the next decade.

The Teacher and Personnel Preparation State Level Team is currently preparing a statement of findings and strategies for continuous improvement and systemic change in educator preparation, including research-based practices designed to close achievement gaps and address concerns of overidentification and disproportion. These findings and recommendations will inform the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) regarding:

• recruitment, retention, and personnel shortages;
• certification and other credentialing issues;
• teacher/administrator competencies and assessment;
• preparation program approval and the Beginning Educator Support and Training Program (BEST); and
• teacher/administrator evaluation and professional development systems.

For additional information, contact Roger Frant, Ph.D., at (860) 807-2027.

Policy/Governance State Level Team
The closing of Connecticut’s achievement gaps is the primary challenge facing public education in the state over the next decade. The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) reinforces these imperatives. This legislation initiates fundamental reform in elementary and secondary education through four principles. These principles include: 1) stronger accountability for results; 2) increased flexibility; 3) utilization of research-based practices; and 4) greater choice and meaningful involvement for parents.

The Policy/Governance State Level Team is to serve a coordinative and collaborative role in facilitating the implementation of policy recommendations resulting from work by the Summit targeted LEAs at the district level and the two state level teams. This team is preparing a statement of findings and a series of recommendations to inform the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) as to how it could support districts in terms of policy, resources, and technical assistance.

For additional information, contact Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., at (860) 807-2035 or Dudley N. Williams, Jr. at (860) 713-6558.