NCLB, Connecticut & Leadership
It was brought to my attention that there was a NYT's editorial July 29, "Bad News From Connecticut," in reference to the state's lawsuit against testing provisions of NCLB. I thought one section to be most important and to remind us of the critical nature of the work we are engaged in Bridgeport, Hamden and with CRi:
"Connecticut has one of the worst achievement gaps and an abysmal history when it comes to educating poor and minority children. It is the last place that should be challenging the most important educational reform of the last half-century."
As we are all aware, where the rubber meets the road in education reform, is in the classroom, the school, and community. Good policy when integrated with excellent classroom practice, and supported by sustained professional development is the sine qua non of reform. The school and classrooms are where good policy often slams into educator quality -- quality that becomes a facilitator or, as we know, all too often an obstacle. Michael Fullan said it well, if the teachers can't do it, the reforms cannot be done.
The work lead by Superintendent Ramos, supported by Bridgeport educators, business and community leaders, CSDE and outside groups such as the NUA, Stupski Foundation and CRi, provide opportunities for dynamic partnerships to emerge and lead for change in the wake of high profile policy clashes. Framing future discussions on good achievement data, that will most assuredly emerge, will eventually calm the rough waters so that common goals are realized. Cornell West speaking in Bridgeport a number of years ago, was known to have said, "Hope is always blood-drenched and tear-soaked because there is no hope that does not have to go through despair." Dr. West added that "..optimism is too easy." We might add that when optimism is combined with community will, than the "pessimism of the intellect" is forced to retreat. As Superintendent Ramos, Associate Commissioner Fran Rabinowitz, Assistant to the Commissioner, Dudley Williams and I shared in our conference call yesterday, regarding Dr. Ramos's charge to us, there is hope emerging in Bridgeport. Hope driven by new leadership, and a willingness of stakeholders to stand up for a renewed belief on behalf of schoolchildren and youth. When will is provoked by knowledge and passion, powerful indicators emerge which gives one the sense of dramatic improvements in the lives of schoolchildren. It is then that skepticism and cynicism are forced to retreat. We don't have to ask ourselves what our purpose is -- we see the results. Good data will always strip ideology of its power to influence public policy. Education reform in Bridgeport is launched on August 30th by Superintendent Ramos. Led by Syracuse bound Superintendent Begina, it has already been underway in Hamden.
Eric
"Connecticut has one of the worst achievement gaps and an abysmal history when it comes to educating poor and minority children. It is the last place that should be challenging the most important educational reform of the last half-century."
As we are all aware, where the rubber meets the road in education reform, is in the classroom, the school, and community. Good policy when integrated with excellent classroom practice, and supported by sustained professional development is the sine qua non of reform. The school and classrooms are where good policy often slams into educator quality -- quality that becomes a facilitator or, as we know, all too often an obstacle. Michael Fullan said it well, if the teachers can't do it, the reforms cannot be done.
The work lead by Superintendent Ramos, supported by Bridgeport educators, business and community leaders, CSDE and outside groups such as the NUA, Stupski Foundation and CRi, provide opportunities for dynamic partnerships to emerge and lead for change in the wake of high profile policy clashes. Framing future discussions on good achievement data, that will most assuredly emerge, will eventually calm the rough waters so that common goals are realized. Cornell West speaking in Bridgeport a number of years ago, was known to have said, "Hope is always blood-drenched and tear-soaked because there is no hope that does not have to go through despair." Dr. West added that "..optimism is too easy." We might add that when optimism is combined with community will, than the "pessimism of the intellect" is forced to retreat. As Superintendent Ramos, Associate Commissioner Fran Rabinowitz, Assistant to the Commissioner, Dudley Williams and I shared in our conference call yesterday, regarding Dr. Ramos's charge to us, there is hope emerging in Bridgeport. Hope driven by new leadership, and a willingness of stakeholders to stand up for a renewed belief on behalf of schoolchildren and youth. When will is provoked by knowledge and passion, powerful indicators emerge which gives one the sense of dramatic improvements in the lives of schoolchildren. It is then that skepticism and cynicism are forced to retreat. We don't have to ask ourselves what our purpose is -- we see the results. Good data will always strip ideology of its power to influence public policy. Education reform in Bridgeport is launched on August 30th by Superintendent Ramos. Led by Syracuse bound Superintendent Begina, it has already been underway in Hamden.
Eric
posted by Eric J. Cooper at 5:20 AM
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