Educators for School Change!

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." -- Henry Adams
 

Since May, teachers and administrators have been engaged in discussions on education and the school reform initiative with Mayor DeStefano, Superintendent Mayo and other school officials.  On June 23, the Mayor and Superintendent conducted an open meeting for teacher to outline plans for the reform initiative and answer questions.  In an informal poll at the end of the meeting, roughly half of teachers in the room were enthusiastic for reform, and no-one was against it.  Also, through the months of July and August, representatives of the School District and Mayors office will be discussing the reform agenda with the AFT leadership.
 

The Educational Adequacy Project of the Yale Law School Clinic has also played a role in shaping the reform effort, conducting numerous one-on-one interviews and an extensive interactive workshop for teachers in June. Overall, input from more than 65 teachers went into creating a report entitled “Teachers and Education Reform: A Living Document of Teacher Testimony,” which has been submitted to district policymakers and which will be continually updated to reflect ongoing ideas provided by teachers.  To find out more about the Educational Adequacy Project’s work with New Haven teachers.
 

In all these discussions, educators have had opportunities to share their thoughts on current practices in their schools as well as suggestions for changes. The School Change Campaign supports and encourages these discussions that help secure understanding and input from the educators who must deliver the education to students.  The Campaign will continue to help involve the input of teachers, administrators, para-professionals, other school staff and their Unions to ensure that school reform in New Haven is both fair and sustainable.
 

Get Involved:
Show your support for school change, now!  Join the School Change Initiative.