While we still await the Cambridge report, this from the Hour:
The state Department of Education is in the midst of an extensive process to improve Norwalk school district’s standing under No Child Left Behind.
For the fourth consecutive year, Norwalk has been named as a “District In Need of Improvement” under NCLB. The district could face federal loss of funding if status does not improve.
State legislation, adopted in a 2007 special session, identifies 12 school districts as having the greatest need for improvement. It also assigns more responsibility to the state Department of Education to support improvement activities.
“It is important to understand that these districts serve children with the greatest needs,” said Connecticut Education Commissioner Mark K. McQuillan in a written statement. “Poverty, student mobility, limited English language proficiency, teacher turnover and lack of resources are significant factors affecting progress.”
He added, “Briefly summarized, student achievement in Connecticut has remained flat since 2002.”
Currently, education officials are waiting for results of the Cambridge Review, a districtwide and individual assessment of several schools in Norwalk conducted by Cambridge Education. The international school improvement nonprofit will provide an extensive review of what is working and what needs improvement.
Next week expect a ruling on how the BOE managed to reward Corda with an extensive pay increase in a rushed contract extension. Flat results since 2002 speak to flat performance by this administration.
source: The Hour, State will help schools close achievement gap, by Nina Sen, January 30, 2008
