Gov. Malloy Tells WCBS 880 Kids Are Winning As Education Reform Passes Senate
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork / AP) - Gov. Dan Malloy is calling the education overhaul approved by the state Senate this morning a "toolbox'' that can drive increases in student achievement. In his words, "the kids won.''
WCBS 880's Steve Scott With Gov. Dan Malloy
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Malloy refused today to criticize lawmakers for approving the bill in a pre-dawn vote.
"It's not the way I would've done it, but, you know, it got done," Malloy told WCBS 880 anchor Steve Scott on Tuesday afternoon.
Republican leaders told reporters they didn't feel comfortable debating and voting on a nearly 200-page bill they had just received.
"What's important is Connecticut is joining other states, finally, in reforming pre-K through 12 education," said Malloy. "That's really the important thing. The kids have got to be the winners in this situation."
Malloy told Scott that Connecticut fell behind as other states got involved in reforming education and that his state needs to catch up.
The plan now moves to the House.
"This is a comprehensive approach to re-engineering education in Connecticut - holding parents, students, administrators, and teachers accountable for real results," Malloy told Scott.
The bill includes about $100 million in new funding, which is included in the separate budget agreement. Of those funds, $50 million would be added to the state's largest education grant, and $39.5 million of that sum would be channeled to the 30 lowest-performing districts in the state.
The bill also would create a Commissioner's Network allowing the state to "provide intensive supports and interventions'' needed to turn around 25 low-performing schools over the next three years.
The plan also includes reform for the state's tenure system.
The governor told Scott he is sure that the bill will pass the House by that chamber's midnight deadline tomorrow, at which point he will sign it.
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