January 12, 2012

REP. McCRORY SAYS GOV’S EDUCATION FORUM SETS
STAGE FOR ATTACKING ACHIEVEMENT GAP
Says universal pre-school, parental involvement key to success

State Representative Douglas McCrory (D-Hartford), vice-chair of the legislature’s Education Committee, said the recent workshop on education reform sponsored by Governor Dannel Malloy at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain set the stage for real progress at reducing the achievement gap during the 2012 legislative session, which convenes next month.

McCrory participated in the workshop, which featured panel discussions on improving low performing school districts and promoting excellence in teaching.

“Achieving equal educational opportunity is a challenge that requires real reforms,” McCrory said. “This forum was a great kick-off to the debate that lies ahead as we seek bold and innovative changes.”

Specifically, McCrory wants to make universal pre-school available for all children and the state’s education funding formula adjusted to provide more resources to failing school districts. He also supports stronger teacher evaluations that are not simply based on standardized test scores. “Parental involvement will also always be a critical part of any successful equation,” McCrory said.

The achievement gap refers to the disparity of academic performance between groups of students, especially by ethnicity and socioeconomic status. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress project, Connecticut’s achievement gap is among the largest in the nation, particularly between white and African-American students.

“To successfully attack the achievement gap, we cannot continue to try to smooth things over by simply rounding off the edges,” McCrory said. “Real change is the only way to provide all students with the tools to succeed.”

Rep. McCrory represents Hartford’s 7th House District and was first elected to the General Assembly in 2004. In addition to serving as vice-chair of the Education Committee, he is a member of the Appropriations and Higher Education & Employment Advancement committees.