Educators say there is no need for more delay when it comes to the state’s in-school suspension law.
State Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan took the lead at an informational forum Friday, stressing that the state’s request for federal funding through Race to the Top is linked to legislative support for a reform plan for high schools and the implementation of a 2007 in-school suspension law. The initiatives are important as the state tackles the achievement gap, he said, pointing to tell-tale statistics.
Only 79.3 percent of all Connecticut students graduate high school in four years, he said, noting that the percentage of students graduating in four years is much lower — sometimes by more than 20 percent — for African American and Hispanic students and for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch.
As lawmakers head into the final weeks of the legislative session, the topics discussed Friday were timely. A bill that would establish more rigorous high school graduation requirements failed to garner enough support last year, but is being reconsidered this year and has already been approved by the education and appropriations committees.
A bill that would postpone the in-school suspension law for another year — until July 2011 — was passed by the planning and development committee, but died in the education committee. Groups like the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities have vowed to try to resurrect the postponement proposal before the session ends May 5.
The in-school suspension law was suppose to take effect July 2008, but has been delayed twice and will now go into effect July 1 unless action is taken to postpone it again.
Those who want the law delayed say they have concerns about funding, school space and staffing. CCM estimates that the cost of such a mandate would be between $9,000 a year for small towns and $4.5 million for larger cities.