When we cited the states which had made the most progress in teacher policy in the 2011 Yearbook, Connecticut was not among them. But it looks like the Nutmeg State is trying to make up for lost ground. Late last week, the Connecticut Board of Education approved a new teacher evaluation system which incorporates student achievement data and classroom observations.
Connecticut also seems to be getting serious about teacher preparation. As we previously reported, enrollment standards for teacher preparation programs often fall below what the NCAA demands of student-athletes. The governor announced an initiative that will increase the minimum GPA required for enrollment in a teacher preparation program from a B-minus to a B-plus. We heartily endorse this move: ensuring only academically capable candidates become teachers is a key step toward improving the quality of the teacher workforce.
Graham Drake
Graham Drake