ConnCAN CEO Alex Johnston released the following statement in response to the Race to the Top bill SB 438 released today by the Connecticut General Assembly Education Committee co-chairs:

“This bill makes real progress for Connecticut public schools. For the first time, every district in the state is required to evaluate teachers based on their students’ achievement. The bill supports districts by creating a data system that links students to their teachers and teachers to their training programs. It creates alternative pathways for our most talented classroom teachers to become principals. It removes caps on the number of seats allowed in Connecticut public charter schools. ConnCAN puts its full weight behind the passage of this bill.

Unfortunately, because Connecticut started so far behind in the Race to the Top, this progress may not be enough to win in Round 2 of the Race and bring home the $175 million sorely needed for our schools. Three key reforms proposed by ConnCAN would have made Connecticut more competitive in the Race to the Top but were not included in this final legislation. Student achievement is not required to be the primary factor in teacher evaluations. There are no consequences attached to teachers whose students don’t achieve. We did not address the unsustainable and unequal funding system for our public charter schools.”