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Hartford, Conn.—Today, the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) released teacher survey results showing inequities between school districts and alarming health and safety concerns.
Two thousand teachers provided insights into disparities between Connecticut’s thirty-three lowest performing alliance districts and the more than 150 other school districts in the state.
Questions were asked regarding health and safety, curriculum and student engagement, classroom resources, district provided training, technology and working conditions.
Seventy-five percent of non-alliance district teachers indicated they have school resources and supplies that ensure students can access curriculum compared to only 52% of alliance district teachers.
One of the most alarming concerns for all districts is around curriculum and student engagement. On the question, “Does your school or district implement effective strategies to engage students who are absent or otherwise disengaged?” only 52% of non-alliance district teachers agreed and only 39% of alliance district teachers.
Despite statewide efforts, only 65% of alliance district teachers said all their students have Internet access and only 74% have access to a computer.
Alliance district teachers were less confident than their non-alliance peers on every health and safety question including contact tracing, classroom ventilation, an adequate supply of PPE and cleaning. Twenty-two percent of alliance district teachers indicated they and their colleagues were discouraged from reporting health and safety concerns compared to sixteen percent of non alliance teachers.
ConnCAN Executive Director Subira Gordon said: “The findings of this survey are not surprising and, in most cases, are the direct result of a broken investment in students based on their needs. Thousands of Connecticut students are currently in harm’s way after their districts have been short changed for decades.”
Gordon added: “Student access to safe and quality educational opportunities requires local action now and state action in the next legislative session. Connecticut teachers sent a loud message that they and their students are at risk of having poor educational, health and wellbeing outcomes.. We must listen. This impacts us all.”
Connecticut’s alliance districts include those with the lowest Accountability index measures in the state. The current list of 33 districts: Ansonia, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Derby, East Hartford, East Haven, East Windsor, Groton, Hamden, Hartford, Killingly, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Naugatuck, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Putnam, Stamford, Thompson, Torrington, Vernon, Waterbury, West Haven, Winchester, Windham, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.
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About ConnCAN: ConnCAN is leading a movement to improve education outcomes for Connecticut’s kids. We bring advocates, policymakers, parents and educators together to change the system and give all kids access to the great public schools they deserve. Learn more at conncan.org.