Wednesday, May 15, 2013

PROBLEMS IN NEW BRITAIN SCHOOLS ADDRESSED BY A FORMER TEACHER


 
What can New Britain do to attend to the problems that have devastated student performance in its public schools? There has been no shortage of opinions. Many commenter's have put the blame on “flat funding” of the education budget while others have chosen to blame individuals on the BOE and New Britain’s public school teachers. None of these efforts really have much merit. In the Herald, most of what are probably the most reflective, prolific and productive comments have been written by a frequent contributor to the Herald, Columnist Chris Powell, Managing Editor of another publication. Mr. Powell, cites poverty and “fatherlessness” as the most important root causes, two factors that are in abundance in New Britain schools. New Britain students’ abysmal performance on State standardized tests is testament to this fact.

Efforts by Governor Malloy to address the achievement gap between the poor and affluent students in Connecticut are discouraging to the State’s teachers that are, by and large, dedicated to teaching and personally helping students toward a more productive life. In the 1980s, the State initiated the Educational Enhancement reform - I was one of the beneficiaries - that was designed, largely, to enhance teacher compensation. This Act did little to improve test scores. In all the years since, the achievement gap has worsened as have the test scores.

Recent efforts in NB toward addressing the achievement problem have centered mostly toward “throwing” more money at education. Increasing education funding from the State has been promised as has the same from Mayor O’Brien. One of the more ridiculous ideas is bonding for textbooks and other supplies. My prediction? WON’T WORK! 

Until efforts by the State and the individual municipalities are dedicated to addressing poverty and fatherlessness, “free stuff” like cell phones etc., will have few or no positive effects. The more giveaway programs we have, the less self reliance we engender. Taxpayers beware; it seems as though the government mantra now, is, taxpayers be damned!

 

Lou Salvio

 

 

3 comments:

  1. Having served on the BOE at that time, I voted against the Educational Act which gave a 28% increase to teachers over two years, provided for by the state. Then, the city was to pick up the tab.

    Shortly afterwards, the Administrators Union asked for a 20 % increase! I have long been an advocate for less monetary funding and more educational weeding out of those who were not in it for the long haul!

    For too long, people have been hired for reasons other than their educational background and lack of promise.

    This superintendent has to weed out those who are simply putting in their time and not caring about their students. Check on Kurtz's hires. Have the guts to do what must be done.

    Are all the great teachers who taught my husband and my children all gone, not to be replaced? This was once a great high school. It badly needs a new leader.

    This was once a great educational city with all of the immigrants coming to these shores to earn their place in society and educate their children. Those children went on to become clergy, physicians, teachers, dentists, scientists, business people,etc.

    It is not about more money. It never was.

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  2. WHY NOT PRINT THE TRUTH !

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  3. the truth is something most Democrats don't ever speak.

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