March 6, 2014

Bolinsky: Common Core Public Hearings Set for March 12th

This article was archived from the previous WordPress site. Formatting and media should be close, but may not match the original post perfectly.

Good news from the State Capitol! A formal public hearing on the Common Core curriculum and public school teacher evaluation process has been scheduled. The public hearing will be in the Education Committee next Wednesday, March 12 at NOON in room 1E of the Legislative Office Building.

• One of the proposals codifies the proposals brought forth by the committee created to establish teacher evaluation standards known as the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council.
• The second bill would freeze the implementation of the Common Core curriculum until all stakeholders have time to look at its potential effects and consider possible changes.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2014/EDdata/pha/2014pha00312-R001200ED-pha.htm

FAQs
Who can testify at a public hearing?
Anyone may testify at a public hearing.
What are the rules?
The rules vary by committee. The notice of the Public Hearing in the Bulletin (cga.ct.gov) provides basic rule information.
How long should testimony be?
Testimony should be no longer than three minutes.
Who speaks first?
The first hour of a hearing is normally reserved for legislators and agency heads or invited guests. Then testimony is taken in the order people signed up.
Should I bring copies of testimony?
Written testimony is not required but is recommended. If you bring written testimony, you must bring a copy for every committee member. Your testimony can also be submitted electronically by contacting each committee in advance for the correct email address.

Education Committee Rules:
Please email a PDF copy of your written testimony to EDTestimony@cga.ct.gov by 2:00 P.M. on March 11 and include the word “Testimony” in the subject line.

Written testimony will be accepted in Room 3100 of the LOB until 9:30 A.M. on the date of the hearing. Please submit 35 copies. Written testimony submitted after 9:30 A.M. will not be distributed in hard copy form. Sign-up for the hearing will begin at 8:30 A.M. in First Floor Atrium of the LOB, will be by Lottery, and will conclude at 9:30 A.M. The first hour of the hearing is reserved for Elected Officials and Agency Heads. Once they have finished speaking, students will be given the next priority to speak. Students and Elected Officials and Agency Heads do not have to wait in line for the lottery- sign ups for these groups is by a first-come-first-served basis. They may walk up to the table, identify themselves, and they will be signed up on the proper sheet. All testimony will be available at http://cga.ct.gov/ed.

I hope this is helpful!

Mitch