Monday, May 14, 2012
35 percent of Connecticut eighth grade students reached proficiency in the subject in 2011 — the same percentage that reached proficiency in 2009 — however since then numerous other states have beefed-up their science programs.
As we pointed out in our piece on low CAPT scores in Milford, education is a big issue for our city. As Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy prepares to sign the state's new education reform bill into law, a report from The National Center for Education Statistics shows that the state has dropped in the rankings for science proficiency. According to the report (see attached PDF), 35 percent of Connecticut eight grade students reached proficiency in the subject in 2011 — the same percentage that reached proficiency in 2009 — however since then numerous other states have beefed-up their science programs. As a result seven states have pushed ahead of Connecticut in the national ranking, according to the report. The report notes that although …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Many questions still remained about the education reform agreement that the governor and legislature announced Monday night.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy got an education reform package late Monday, while the Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, also appeared to get what it wanted, as the final agreement appears to be somewhat of a compromise between the governor's initial proposal and ones backed by the union. Although details of the agreement were still cloudy late Monday, and any bill making the proposed reforms law must still be approved by the legislature, Malloy hailed the agreement as one that will bring "meaningful education reform" to Connecticut. "I can say, with confidence, that this bill will allow us to begin fixing what is broken in our public schools," Malloy said during a hastily assembled press conference late …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Renowned Jazz artist and Milford resident Jay Rowe is hosting his annual "Smooth Jazz for Scholars" concert this Saturday, May 5th at the Parsons Complex.
With Arts programs needing more help than ever, the $41,000 Jay Rowe's annual "Smooth Jazz for Scholars" concert has raised over the years for the Music Department of Milford Public Schools does a great deal to support the Arts in our community. This week, Rowe spoke with the Milford Patch about the latest Scholars concert, which is this Saturday, May 5th, at the Parsons Complex. This year's show features legendary musicians such as Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Marion Meadows, Chieli Minucci and Ken Navarro, among others. Tickets are $40 with all profits going to Milford Public Schools' Music programs. You can get tickets at Cafe Atlantique, Milford Fine Arts Center, Arcioulo Shoe Store, Villa Gourmet or at www.jayrowemusic.com.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
What can be done to improve CAPT scores in Milford schools? Democrats and Republicans weigh in.
The Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) is an annual exam administered to Connecticut high school sophomores at the beginning of March. This week, Democratic 4th District Vice Chairman Michael Brown posted a study on his Facebook page from SchoolDigger.com in which 2010 and 2011 CAPT scores from Connecticut's 191 high schools were compared. In 2011, Foran High School was ranked 103rd. This was down 24 spots from their 2010 ranking of 79th best CAPT score average in Connecticut in 2010. Jonathan Law High School was ranked 97th in the same year, up 18 spots from their 2010 ranking of 115th best CAPT score average. In anticipation of the upcoming release of 2012 CAPT results, Republicans and Democrats and Milford have weighed in on …
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Nine companies bid on the project, which now might have to be revised and rebid.
Bids on renovations and additions at Milford’s East Shore Middle School reportedly exceed the $12 million authorized for the project by the Board of Aldermen in February. The New Haven Register reported that city officials said the bids received for the work exceed the authorized amount by about $3 million. The project might have to be revised and rebid, officials said. Nine companies bid on the project, which will give the school a new roof, expand the media center and cafeteria, and build new art and music rooms and four additional classrooms.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Schools dedicate elementary art show to veteran teacher.
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Thursday, April 26
The following is a press release from Milford Public Schools The Annual Milford Public Schools Art Show has become a favorite event in Milford with hundreds of students and their parents touring the halls of the Parsons Complex to view the student pieces on display. While attendees enjoyed the elementary art show opening in March, it was the formal announcement of long-time art educator Frank Vespi’s retirement that took center stage during the show’s opening ceremony. Mr. Vespi’s retirement will be effective at the end of this school year. Vespi, a 42-year veteran of the Milford Public School system, was honored by art teachers across the district with the dedication of the Elementary Art Show to him for his selfless service to the …
41.225973
-73.058467
Parsons Government Center
70 W River St, Milford, CT
/articles/milford-art-educator-frank-vespi-retiring
1910870
/locations/6883624
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Students from Milford are reportedly the only high school in the country who contacted the European Organization for Nuclear Research about a failed experiment involving Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
Most people would chose success over failure any day, but George Benedetti’s Joseph A. Foran High School physics students learned a valuable lesson last Tuesday, that failure is an anticipated part of the scientific experimental process. “It’s a perfectly normal thing to make errors in research … That’s how it works, trial and error,” Professor Alvaro de Rujula, a theorist at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, told the local students via a half hour video conference. A team of CERN scientists recently made a whopper of an error involving Albert Einstein’s special Theory of Relativity which has withstood the test of time since 1905, providing the underpinnings for much of modern physics, Benedetti said. “Incredibly, they…
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Elizabeth Feser reflects on her first year at the helm of Milford Public Schools.
Elizabeth A. Feser’s reflections on her first year as Superintendent in the Milford school system at Monday’s Board of Education meeting asked as many questions as it answered in an effort to prompt a dialogue about what would further improve curriculum and instruction, leadership, and other elements representative of a high-performing district. Feser’s remarks dovetailed into the presentation of Assistant Supt. Michael Cummings, who talked about the comprehensive District Continuous Improvement Plan, which includes goals and strategies related to the common core, instructional framework, the climate for learning, and standardized testing. “If you’re not improving you’re declining,” Cummings said, adding that there is no room for the …
The success of "Kool To Be Kind" in Westport shows they may be on to something when it comes to helping kids stand up to bullies.
My column last week about bullying touched more on sadness than hope. This week, it’s time to look for a brighter tomorrow. I’m pinning that hope for tomorrow on a bunch of teenagers and eight year olds, crossing my fingers that they’ll become experts in being the kind, compassionate adults of the future — and spread that knowledge with others. Those kids are gaining that expertise through a new program being piloted right here in the metropolitan area. For the last two years, the Westport school district has been integrating an empathy-based anti-bullying program called Kool To Be Kind (K2BK). And it’s based on one very elemental premise: that kids learn better from other kids. Behind that simple premise is a very thoroughly developed, …
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The structure of Connecticut’s public universities and community colleges could change, as some say that remedial courses do little to help.
In an effort to save students’ time and money, a bill in the state legislature proposes a total overhaul of remedial courses for struggling students. Instead of offering remedial courses – which give no credit – US News & World reports that remedial skills would be “embedded” into the course through tutoring, labs or additional class work. Some nearby schools that would be affected by the bill – which will go into effect in 2014 if passed – are Southern Connecticut State University, Gateway Community College, Middlesex Community College and Naugatuck Valley Community College.
Pam Landry
9:28 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Thank you Jay Rowe for this wonderful annual event in Milford! more ›