Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) Releases 2015 Legislative Agenda
West Hartford, Connecticut (PRWEB) January 22, 2015 -- The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), a statewide nonprofit educational administration organization which represents public school superintendents, assistant superintendents and other educational leaders across the state, recently released its 2015 Public Policy Agenda identifying the core areas where the Association will focus its public policy advocacy efforts during the upcoming session.
Among the key areas CAPSS and its members have identified as public policy priorities for 2015 are:
Secondary School Reform
CAPSS proposes that Secondary School Reform be postponed so that it will affect the graduating class of 2022 and that the Legislature direct the CT State Department of Education to review and revise in consultation with superintendents, central office administrators, building administrators, and teachers the secondary school reform package so that it aligns well with a personalized learning approach.
Special Education
CAPSS proposes:
• That the funding cap on the Special Education Excess Cost Grant be removed;
• That the State redefine excess cost to be two times a district’s per pupil expenditure;
• That the burden of proof in special education due process be assigned to the party that brings the matter to due process; and,
• That all placements made by state agencies be fully paid for by the state.
Personalized Learning
CAPSS proposes that the Legislature establish an innovation fund for personalized learning to support the development, iteration, and implementations of models of personalized learning and that the Legislature expand opportunities and support for anywhere, anytime learning. CAPSS also recommends that the Legislature direct the Department of Education to develop accountability mechanisms that support personalized learning and that the Legislature revise statutes to allow students to progress based on demonstration of competencies as opposed to attending school for six hours a day, 180 days a year for 13 years.
Magnet Schools and Open Choice
CAPSS proposes that the Legislature require the CSDE to develop with meaningful participation by all relevant parties a statewide plan for magnet schools and that any new magnet school application with enrollment from multiple districts be required to include in the application to the CSDE an accompanying ten-year financial plan that projects costs, revenue streams, and anticipated financial impact on sending districts.
Additional items for which CAPSS has made recommendations in its 2015 Public Policy Agenda include:
• Minimum Budget Requirement;
• State Education Financing System;
• State Budget;
• Alliance District Funds;
• District Capacity for Personalized Learning;
• Early Childhood Education;
• Use of State Test Results in the Evaluation of Principals and Teachers;
• Mandate Relief;
• The Voice of the Superintendent;
• The Common Core of State Standards;
• Secondary School Reform;
• Mental Health; and,
• Required NIMS Training and Assessment.
“CAPSS and its members believe that the four areas we have identified as priorities during the legislative session will continue to propel our state’s educational system forward,” said Joseph Cirasuolo, Ed.D., executive director, CAPSS. “Over the past few years, there has been significant progress made with improving Connecticut’s educational system and we look forward to keeping that momentum going.”
About The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents:
The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), based in West Hartford, CT, has been the voice of superintendents of schools in Connecticut for 106 years. The mission of CAPSS is to lead the continuous improvement of public education for all students by advocating public policy for children and by developing and supporting executive school leaders. To learn more, visit http://www.capss.org.
Elyssa Millspaugh, Co-Communications, Inc., +1 860-676-4400, [email protected]
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