Connecticut Parents Union Pushes for Reform

The Connecticut Parents Union is calling for the elimination of lifetime tenure, changes to school residency laws and more say in education reform policy.

The Connecticut Parents Union, a parent advocacy group, has called for its voice to be heard when the state prepares to enact education reforms during this year’s legislative session.

Gwen Samuel, founder of the Connecticut Parents Union, said at a press conference at the Legislative Office Building:

“Children don’t vote, they don’t sign medical release forms, you can’t even send them on a field trip without our consent. But yet the decisions that would impact their fate, their future, lies in everyone else’s hands.”

Most of what happens within the education system is outside of parents’ control, says Samuel. The group was formed during last year’s session to campaign to give parents a voice to influence education policy decisions, writes Hugh McQuaid at CT News Junkie.

Rep. Douglas McCrory, a vice principal at Hartford’s Capitol Region Education Council, also believes parents need to be brought into of the reform process “instead of doing reform and tell them, ‘okay, this is what it’s going to look like for you.’”

“For the past 20 or so years that hasn’t worked and we cannot continue down that path,” he said.

Samuel is quick to emphasize that the group is not anti-teacher and praising the leadership of the CEA and AFT. But AFT’s efforts to “circumvent” the Parents Union last year on a legislative proposal to give parents more say in how failing schools are run was not acceptable, writes McQuaid.

“I want this to be very clear—as long as you have my child, I am not circumventable,” she said.

One of the reforms the group is keen to endorse is the proposal put forth by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents that recommends offering teachers five-year contracts which would then be up to the district whether to renew or not.

“We have some great teachers. We have some okay teachers and we have some that need to find another profession and for some reason we’re afraid to say that. But yet you will hold parents and families responsible for the decisions that are made in the classroom.”

Samuel also criticized the controversial “scream rooms” at the Farm Hill School in Middletown, where misbehaving students are sent to calm down, writes Kathleen Megan at the Courant.

“News of the rooms, which are reportedly used at other schools as well, surfaced last week after parents witnessed two Farm Hill staff members holding a door shut on a small room while a child kicked and screamed inside.”

The parents union has called for ending non-therapeutic “time-out/scream” room practices.

“If you had qualified staff, best practices in place, you wouldn’t think you had to put a baby in the dungeon,” writes Samuel.

Samuel also wants to see the state’s school residency laws reformed.

“Parents should be able to choose which public school their child attends and not be punished for wanting them in a safe school.

“When schools are not performing, when schools are unsafe, you have to give us a measure to choose something better.”

Comments

Linda Brees

January 24, 2012 at 2:10 pm

“If you had qualified staff, best practices in place, you wouldn’t think you had to put a baby in the dungeon,” writes Samuel.

That sounds great. Of course you won’t mind a bit of a tax increase to pay for such thing or just cutting teacher tenure will magically free up money to hire a psychologist to tend to your child?

Reply
Joe

January 24, 2012 at 2:15 pm

I don’t really understand what alternative the parents are proposing to the scream rooms except to sink yet more money into a shrink. Screaming kids disturb classes and that means they interrupt and take away education time for other students. They need to be separated or they need to be sent home, or Samuel can throw in some money so her kid can come to class with his or her own babysitter. The elimination of lifetime tenure is a good idea and so is rethinking the zoning rules but this demand that each disruptive child needs to be personally catered to is entitlement of the worst sort.

Reply
Kevin

January 24, 2012 at 2:57 pm

I agree, Joe. The parents’ voices just aren’t being heard enough when decisions are made about their kids. On the other hand, it would be nice if the parents made more of an effort to offer ways of themselves contributing towards educational improvement. As a sign of good faith.

Reply
- Gwen S.
  
  January 25, 2012 at 7:36 pm
  
  I have met parents from all races and socio – economics wanting to put more effort into improving schools. The problem is parents can only have access as long as we stick to the “school agenda” even if that school agenda makes no sense what so ever and only a “select” few of children benefit. The only conclusion that I can see ; if districts really want our engagement then put aside your egos and let parents do their part. And for those who think parents don’t work then I can only assume you are “stereo typing” certain parents based on…
  
  Reply
Connecticut Parents Union Pushes for Reform | International Education News | Renascence School International | Panama City | private preschool, elementary school, middle school

January 25, 2012 at 8:16 am

[...] of lifetime tenure, changes to school residency laws and more say in education reform policy.”(more) Comments (0) Go to main news [...]

Reply
- Eros
  
  March 27, 2012 at 5:57 am
  
  Perhaps one of the best allied athleh schools in CT is Quinnipaic. My friend just graduated there with her nursing degree and loved it. The only problem is that any science major will require alot of attention due to lab work. nursing is no exception. not sure about state schools in CT but thats what I know.
  
  Reply
Noe

March 27, 2012 at 8:02 am

Well done to the students and htecaers at Ravensbourne School for some very colourful and imaginative collaborative work. I think the calendar is really beautiful.Keep up the outstanding international work, Ravensbourne! You are certainly creating the world WE want, and leading the way for other schools to follow.Lawrence Williams, MirandaNet World Peace Fellow, London

Reply