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Author Archives: Robert Cotto Jr.
11th Trinity International Hip Hop Festival April 7-10
Join us for a Community Skate Night! (April 2, 9, 10, 16)
Join us for a Community Skate Night!
Saturday, April 16th, 6:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Koeppel Community Sports Center
175 New Britain Ave.
Trinity College Ryan Gordon/Hartford Wolf Pack Community Scholarship Fund
Learn to Skate Program:
Saturday, April 2nd 10:30am – 11:30am
Saturday, April 9th 10:30am – 11:30am
Sunday, April 10th 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Saturday, April 16th 4:40pm – 5:30pm
To register for the program, please contact Rich Pettit at Richard.Pettit@trincoll.edu or (860) 297-4230 or Julia Rivera at Julia.Rivera@trincoll.edu or (860) 297-4203.
Challenging the Test: Black & Latino Activists Tell Their Stories
Join Black and Latino teachers, parents, students, and education leaders to learn about why they and their children are refusing, or “opting out” of various standardized tests in Connecticut. In addition to hearing their stories, we will have time for discussion. Want to learn more about testing and test “opt out”? Check out the background and resources below.
Event photo album. Event video.
Read “Why We Opt-Out: CT Black and Latino Parents Discuss SBAC”, by Laurel Killough on the CEA blog.
Event Details
When: Thursday, March 31, 2016, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity College, Mather Hall, Terrace Rooms A-B
What: Panel and Discussion, Light Dinner for first 30 attendees
Speakers: Shonta’ Browdy, Leticia Cotto, Violet Jiménez Sims, Sean Jaquez, & Anthony T. Berry, Trinity College Director of Admissions
Background
In 2011, Real Hartford reported that one Hartford parent refused to allow her child to take the state standardized tests in protest of educational reform policies in the city schools. Since then, the “opt out” movement has grown across the country and Connecticut as thousands of parents and students across the country are refusing to take state tests in protest of educational reforms associated with high-stakes testing.
Black and Latino parents and educators in Connecticut have been at the forefront of these challenges to testing and activism in public education more broadly. While white activism on testing is well reported, Black and Latino test boycotts are less visible as well as their critique of high-stakes testing and related reforms.
In June 2015, Professor Pedro Noguera and colleagues defended parents’ right to boycott testing as a form of civil rights protest for better education conditions. Nevertheless, the U.S. and CT Departments of Education have sought to penalize schools and districts where high proportions of parents boycott the tests.
At the same time, more colleges and universities, including Trinity College, have changed their admissions policies to make tests like the SAT and ACT optional in order to encourage a more diverse group of applicants. In both cases, parents and college administrators have “opted out” of the tests in order to challenge the dominant narrative that standardized tests can adequately demonstrate what children learn and be used for high-stakes decisions.
Sponsored by Educational Studies 310 – Testing: From IQ to Common Core, Urban Educational Initiatives.
Resources
Books, Articles, Essays, and Films
More than a Score, Jesse Hagopian
The CT Mirror, “Feds say too few students took required tests…”; “State sets penalties for schools with high ‘opt outs’ rates”
Organizations
Legislation (in Connecticut)
Connecticut General Assembly, Education Committee
HB 5555, Session 2016: AAC THE MINIMUM BUDGET REQUIREMENT AND PROHIBITING THE INCLUSION OF PARTICIPATION RATES FOR THE STATE-WIDE MASTERY EXAMINATION IN THE CALCULATION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT’S ACCOUNTABILITY INDEX SCORE.
SB 380, Session 2016 AAC THE EXCLUSION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE RESULTS ON THE MASTERY EXAMINATION FROM TEACHER EVALUATIONS.
Meet the Speakers
Shonta’ Browdy
Shonta’ Browdy is a Hartford native and proud mother of two children who currently are being educated in the Hartford Public School system. Her passion is working with the youth both inside and outside of the classroom. For ten years and counting she has advocated for children in Hartford to receive quality educational opportunities. She is ending her 4th and final year of substitute teaching where she learned firsthand the struggles of educating children in a two-tiered educational system. Shonta’ is the Director of P.U.R.P.O.S.E. where she works alongside some amazing parents removing barriers that exists in the lives of children which prevent them from achieving their educational goals. She holds the title of co-advisor of the Youth Council and Education Committee Chair of the Greater Hartford chapter of the NAACP. Another passion that has her excited on the arrival of each spring is leading a community gardening project focused on exposing children to healthy eating all based on a hands-on agricultural curriculum.
Leticia Cotto
Leticia Cotto was born and raised in Hartford and is the mother of three. She is co-founder and co-owner of La Paloma Sabanera Coffee House and Bookstore (2004), a bookstore that specialized in the sale of Spanish language books by and about Latino authors and themes and fair trade coffee from Central and South America. As Branch Manager and Latino Services Coordinator, she has been instrumental in developing adult and children’s programming for the Hartford Public Library that directly reaches the Latino Community in Hartford and the Frog Hollow neighborhood. Amongst those programs are: The first city-wide Domino Tournament in 2008, Spanish Language Book Fair with REFORMA Northeast in 2010, Immigrant Experience documentary 2010, Park Street, Barbour Street and Blue Hills Story Walk 2014 and 2015.
Leticia is a board member for San Juan Center in Hartford and co-chair for the Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs for the city of Hartford. She has extensive experience in working with immigrant communities and has traveled to Nicaragua and Guatemala to help develop ESL classes, computer classes and a small resource library at La Casa Juan Gerardi in Guatemala City.
Leticia holds a BA from Southern CT State University and is presently working on a M.S. in Management.
Violet Jiménez Sims
For 13 years, Violet has been an educator at the college and high school levels. She is a teacher and instructional coach in the ELL department at a CT high school. She holds bachelor, masters, and Sixth Year (CAGS) from the University of Connecticut, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Bridgeport. A mother of two daughters that attend New Britain Public schools, she has been a vocal advocate for dual-language programs and the elimination of the high-stakes testing that is contributing to the demise of public education.
Violet has always been committed to civil rights, multiculturalism, and community service. She is the Immediate Past President (2012-2015) of Altrusa International Inc. of Greater Hartford and a member of the NAACP New Britain branch. She has been an activist for public education and underrepresented populations at the national, state, and local level, including marching on Washington on a “Journey for Justice”, presenting at conferences, giving testimony at legislative sessions, and being published on topics related to educational equity. She is also a member of the selection committee of the Alma Exley Scholarship Program, which promotes diversity in the teaching profession.
Sean Jaquez, Trinity ’19
Sean Jaquez is currently a first-year student at Trinity College majoring in mathematics and political science. I am from New York City, where I attended Manhattan Village Academy High School, a public school. He has two younger siblings who also have opted out of the exam as well.
Anthony T. Berry, Director of Admissions, Trinity College
Anthony Berry is currently the Director of Admissions at Trinity College. He has been with the College for over 15 years and has a broad range of college admissions expertise. Anthony holds a B.S. in Marketing from Bentley University and an M.S. in Counseling from Central Connecticut State University.
Summer Position Opening: Director of Science Education for Summer Teaching Experiences for Undergraduates Program
Director of Science Education for Summer Teaching Experiences for Undergraduates Program
Trinity College seeks an outstanding teacher and teacher educator to serve as an adjunct Lecturer and Director of Science Education for Teaching Experiences for Undergraduates Program at the Hartford Magnet Trinity College Summer Science Academy at Trinity College. The Director of Science Education will be a member of a project team for a unique partnership funded by the National Science Foundation.
Duties and Responsibilities
The candidate will (1) work collaboratively with a team to develop a Methods in Secondary Science course with practicum for summer undergraduate interns (beginning June 6 and ending July 22), which the candidate will also teach; and (2) lead and train a group of five local science teachers/mentors in observing and providing feedback to the undergraduate interns during the 7-week summer semester. The Director will also mentor, supervise, and provide feedback on classroom teaching for 12 undergraduate student interns who will develop and teach a 4-week summer science course to urban secondary students attending the Hartford Magnet Trinity College Summer Science Academy. This is a summer appointment with a possibility for continued appointment in future summers and participation in organizational meetings throughout the year for this project.
Applicants must have at least a master’s degree in science or education and experience is desired in the teaching of secondary science methods and practicum courses. Applicants must also have significant experience in secondary science teaching and in the teaching and supervision of new teachers; an ability to work closely and productively with colleagues; a deep knowledge of the issues of secondary science education, multicultural education, and adolescent development; significant awareness of current issues in schooling and teacher education; and special skills and experience in working with urban and minority populations. State of Connecticut teacher and/or administrator certification is recommended. The candidate may be needed to participate in scientific fieldwork, which may include walking around or off campus at data collection sites.
A complete application consists of a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, and three references (names and contact information). Compensation is competitive and includes a housing/travel allowance. Review of applications will begin on March 4, 2016 and will continue until the position is filled. To apply, please go to the following link: https://trincoll.peopleadmin.com/.
Trinity College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities should request, in advance, any needed accommodation in order to participate in the application process.
CCSU to Hold Forum on Current School Funding Trial in CT
CCSU to Hold Forum on Connecticut’s Current School Funding Trial
New Britain, Connecticut – After more than a decade of waiting, the coalition of municipalities, school boards, parents, students and education stakeholder associations, suing the state of Connecticut for inadequate school funding finally has its day in court. The lawsuit, Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Educational Funding (CCJEF) vs. Rell, is currently on trial before the Hartford Superior Court. CCJEF is a diverse collective representing towns and cities including: Middletown, New London, Windham, Bridgeport, Stamford, Bloomfield, New Britain, Newtown, and Shelton among others, that is seeking to use the legal system to:
- change the way Connecticut’s schools are funded to reflect the real cost of adequately preparing all students for the modern workforce and productive citizenship.
- ensure that adequate and equitable funding for PreK-12 public education is distributed fairly for all students, and their school districts and municipalities.
- shift the lion’s share of the funding burden for school operations away from local property taxes and onto the state.
CCJEF contends that state government is not meeting its state constitutional responsibility to adequately and equitably fund education. The state contends that all students in our state have a minimally adequate opportunity to succeed in school.
The School Funding Equity Summit 2016 will be held Wednesday, 2/17, from 5:30pm-7:10pm, in room 105 of the Vance Academic Building, Central Connecticut State University. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, e-mail Lydia Colon at: lydia.colon@ccsu.edu
Jim Finley, Jr., CCJEF Principal Consultant, Operations & Government Relations, will give the keynote address, which will be followed by a panel discussion. According to Finley, “CCJEF v. Rell is CT’s most important education finance case in a generation. The outcome of this education adequacy and equity lawsuit will shape PreK-12 public education and the lives of students in our state for decades to come.”
Michael Frechette, former Superintendent of Middletown Public Schools will moderate Wednesday night’s panel, which will include perspectives from a diverse group of stakeholders, including Betty Sternberg, a former Commissioner of Education for the state. According to Sternberg, “the issues that are raised in this case are complex and deserve a fair hearing. All those concerned with the education of our children should be interested in and will be affected by the arguments and resolution of them.”
Contact – Jacob Werblow,
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Central Connecticut State University
Global Vantage Point Lecture Series Spring 2016
The Center for Urban and Global Studies will host its Global Vantage Point Lecture Series on Tuesday’s during Common Hour (12:15-1:30 p.m.) throughout the Spring 2016 semester. Pizza is available on a first come, first served basis. See the lineup of speakers and topics for this semester’s lectures below.
When We Fight We Win: Book Tour in da Hartbeat (Hartford)
Co-authors Jorge Díaz and Deymirie Hernández of Agitarte are making their way across the nation celebrating the launch of WHEN WE FIGHT, WE WIN!: Twenty-First-Century Social Movements and the Activists That Are Transforming Our World. Come thumb through the pages of this handsome book while making lively conversation with people we build with right here in Hartford. Delight in the authors’ loving depictions of seminal initiatives gaining traction in the fight towards same-sex marriage, public education, immigrant rights, environmental justice, economic power, and an end to mass incarceration.
When: Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: The Center for Contemporary Culture, Hartford Public Library (Main Branch), 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT.
Who: Open to the Public
Featured Speakers and Groups: AgitArte, Papel Machete, Unidad Latina en Acción, Bishop John Selders, (Stay tuned for more…)
Learn more about the book here on this video:
On social media:
twitter @wefightandwin
facebook please like our book!
instagram @whenwefightwewin