On Vallas and Education Reform: CT Post’s Hugh Bailey calls it like it is…(again!)
Once again, Hugh Baily has produced a commentary piece worthy of national attention.
In it, Bailey writes, “Bridgeport didn’t ask to be a microcosm for the national education debate, but that’s part of the deal when a rock star comes to town.
Ground zero for school reform is usually someplace like New York or Chicago, maybe Newark. It’s always a system with overwhelming needs, and invariably one where reformers would never deign to send their own children.
The fight over Paul Vallas puts Bridgeport in the spotlight. And it’s becoming clear that many of the strategies that have long held sway are wearing out their welcome.
School reform has for more than a decade meant a headlong dash in one direction, toward more testing, less protection for teachers, more faith in miracle workers. At the heart of the debate is whether educators should be running things. It sounds like a simple enough proposition, but one of the central tenets of education reform as commonly practiced is that educators might belong in the classroom (maybe), but have no business in
Connecticut’s Governor and elected officials play: “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)”
Categories: Connecticut General Assembly CT Voices for Children Malloy State Budget State Debt State DeficitTags: Connecticut General AssemblyCT Voice for ChildrenMalloyState BudgetState DebtState DeficitDuring the last gubernatorial campaign, each side claimed that they had a deeper commitment to fiscal responsibility and government transparency. Now more than two and a half years later we are
You call it laws, we call it technicalities or guideline or rules or whatever…
Categories: Corporate Welfare Economic Development Freedom of Information MalloyTags: Corporate WelfareEconomic DevelopmentFreedom of InformationMalloyIn the never-ending saga know as, “laws are for normal people” or “those laws are just technicalities” comes news that, “A state economic development agency that approved nearly $37 million in total aid to businesses in 2011 and 2012 failed to give
JUL 31
The attack on Bridgeport BOE member Bobby Simmons’ integrity says more about his attackers…
Categories: Bobby Simmons Bridgeport Kenneth Moales Mayor Bill Finch Paul VallasTags: Bobby SimmonsBridgeportKenneth MoalesKenneth Moales Jr.Mayor Bill FinchPaul VallasYesterday, Bridgeport Board of Education Bobby Simmons had an incredibly powerful commentary piece published in the Connecticut Post. I re-posted it here at Wait, What under the title “Here is what a real Democrat says in the face
Malloy Administration commits $22 million plus for Bass Pro
Categories: BassPro Bridgeport Corporate Welfare Economic Development Malloy Mayor Bill FinchTags: BridgeportCorporate WelfareEconomic DevelopmentMalloyMayor Bill FinchAccording to the Connecticut Post’s Brian Lockhart, “The state will spend at least $22 million to build Bass Pro Shops a mega-store on the [Bridgeport] city’s waterfront.” As Wait, What? readers will recall from previous blog posts
JUL 30
Here is what a real Democrat says in the face of injustice
Categories: Bobby Simmons Bridgeport Kenneth Moales Mayor Bill Finch Paul VallasTags: Bobby SimmonsBridgeportKenneth Moales Jr.Mayor Bill FinchPaul VallasBobby Simmons, the lone independent Democrat on the Bridgeport Board of Education provides a valuable lesson to other Democratic elected officials around the state and nation. When faced with injustice and wrongdoing you stand and up speak out.
JUL 29
Education Reformers pour $6 million plus into lobbying Malloy’s education initiatives
Categories: UncategorizedAccording to the latest reports filed with the Office of State Ethics, corporate funded education reform organizations and charter schools have “invested” at least $6 million on lobbying expenses related to Governor Malloy’s education reform initiatives. Here is an updated chart of education reform groups and their expenditures on lobbying in Connecticut since Malloy bec
Vallas saga offers teachable moment on abusing power
Categories: Arnie Duncan Malloy Paul Vallas Stefan PryorTags: Arne DuncanBridgeportMalloyPaul VallasStefan PryorAs the Paul Vallas court case heads for the Connecticut Supreme Court, public education advocate and Stamford Advocate columnist, Wendy Lecker, writes an outstanding, must read piece, which explains why the Vallas saga offers a teachable moment the abuse of power. Wendy Lecker writes in
JUL 28
Kenneth Moales Jr. and his Certificate of Occupancy Service and Party
Categories: Kenneth Moales Mayor Bill FinchTags: Kenneth Moales Jr.Mayor Bill FinchIn case you missed it, below is the link to Kenneth Moales Jr. announcing his “Certificate of Occupancy Service and Party that is taking place today. You’ll notice that Mr. Moales appears to be filming his invite from his church-owned Cadillac Escalade. There are also two Mercedes that appear on the church’s Bridg
You say “entitled” like it is a bad thing…..
Categories: Malloy Paul Vallas Stefan PryorTags: heMalloyPaul VallasStefan Pryor“I’m right and you’re wrong, I’m big and you’re small, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” -Roald Dahl, Matilda Okay, let’s take a break from examining the sense of “entitlement” that surrounds Paul Vallas, Stefan Pryor and Governor Malloy. How about this… Today the Hartford Courant’s Jon Lender writes; “Twent
JUL 27
The Power of Truth: A CT Post Editorial observes …“Board ignoring responsibilities”
Categories: Bridgeport Kenneth Moales Malloy Mayor Bill Finch Paul Vallas Stefan PryorTags: BridgeportKenneth Moales Jr.MalloyMayor Bill FinchPaul VallasStefan PryorBridgeport’s faux superintendent of schools, Paul Vallas, and Board of Education Chairman Kenneth Moales Jr. are two of the leading characters in the charade that has been created by Governor Malloy, Education Commissioner Stefan Pryo