State Rep. O'Brien Supports Malloy's Call for Ed. Reform

State Rep. Elaine O’Brien (D-Suffield, East Granby, Windsor) is fully supporting a recent announcement by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy asking state Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor to craft legislative proposals in 2012 that will create academic excellence in Connecticut and serve as a model to other states.

Malloy called 2012 the year of education reform, with emphasis placed on finding top teachers and principals, fair funding for needy students and districts and improvement in low-performing districts and schools.

“I can’t think of a more important initiative than placing academic excellence on our legislative agenda when the General Assembly convenes in February,” O’Brien said in a press release. “As our governor stated, we owe it to all our children to make Connecticut a national leader in education reform.”

O’Brien connected her experience on the legislature’s commerce committee to the need for educational reform, saying that reforms should help provide students with skills that correspond with the talents sought by potential employers. Providing students with those skills is a very necessary step in economic growth and the creation of jobs.

Plans are already in place to begin the reformation process, as Malloy will convene workshops with an in-depth focus on critical education reform issues. Once the legislature convenes in February 2012, Malloy and his administration will work towards making reforms based on the concepts and principles developed in those workshops a reality.