State sees strengths, weaknesses reflected in results of annual nationwide education study

State sees strengths, weaknesses reflected in results of annual nationwide education study

By: Elizabeth Benton, New Haven Regsiter Staff 2008-01-10

Connecticut schools received mixed marks in a national report released Wednesday, ranking at the bottom nationwide in improvement in student test scores and in closing the achievement gap, yet among the best in preschool enrollment and high school graduation.

The nonprofit Education Research Center released its annual “Quality Counts” report Wednesday, grading the nation’s schools on 150 indicators, including equity of school funding, teacher training and student achievement.

“Connecticut is a high performing state. Top 10 in current levels of achievement, but near the bottom in improvements over the last years. It’s dead last in the poverty gap. There are serious issues, real stagnation. And really serious issues in poverty,” said Chris Swanson, project director of Quality Counts.

Connecticut received a C-plus, a notch above the national C average, says the report, published in Education Week.

Read the full New Haven Register story at www.nhregister.com

Download the Quality Counts report