Rutigliano: Public Hearings on Common Core to Be Held Next Week

A message from Rep. Dave Rutigliano:

I have heard from countless parents, students, teachers, and administrators about their concerns over the simultaneous implementation of the Common Core standards and new teacher evaluation methods. A number of bills were submitted to the Education Committee that would have made changes to these programs or at the very least call for accountability.

After petitioning to have these bills raised, I am happy to tell you that the time has been announced for the pending public hearing on legislation related to both the Common Core standards and teacher evaluation.

The co-Chairs of the Education Committee have announced that they will hold the public hearing on March 12 in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building.

The Committee leaders set the hearing to begin at noon despite our request to hold it at a convenient time that would ensure the greatest level of participation from those these programs affect the most – educators, students, and parents.

I still encourage your participation at the hearing on March 12th, either by testifying in person or submitting testimony in writing.

I have provided information below about how to participate in a public hearing. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact my office at dave.rutigliano@housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-8700.

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.