In addition to the heightened, richer vocabulary that books present to toddlers, the shared context of the experience is a key component to its value, explains Michael Coyne, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the Center for Behavioral Education and Research.

“I’m thrilled for Miguel and the state,” said Mark Benigni, who as Meriden superintendent has worked closely with Cardona for many years. “He’s a terrific leader and been an exceptional partner in the work in Meriden and I know he will do a great job at the state.”

“I am honored to be Darien’s Superintendent of Schools,” says Alan Addley. “It is a privilege to lead such a terrific district. I have been eager to make the transition and to start the work. I look forward to supporting our excellent staff and working with the community in the best interests of all Darien students.”

This isn’t the first time that fashion and politics have collided,” says Cooper. “A few years ago, Gucci put out a style or image on one of their pieces of clothing that was resembling of the minstrel show, which was highly offensive to African Americans in the United States. So as opposed to viewing it as a form – and large – a large contingency of the hip-hop community boycotted Gucci and said, you know, this was culturally insensitive.”

“Despite the intent and plain language of the racial imbalance law, charter schools, which are now among the most racially isolated schools in the state, are specifically excluded from SDE’s report,” writes Wendy Lecker and Robert Cotto. “This is particularly troubling since Connecticut law defines charter schools as public schools subject to all federal and state laws to which public schools are subject. Charter schools can be granted a specific exemption from some laws but only if they request that in their application. If the legislature intended to exempt charters from the racial imbalance law, it could have amended the law and done so explicitly.”

“The church is dictating what is taught or done,” says Preston Green of the Memphis charter network’s lease with the diocese. “That seems like a conflict under the [U.S. Constitution’s] establishment clause to me,” which prohibits the government from favoring a religion.

“We really need to think systematically about how to permit charter schools to exist in a way that won’t deleteriously impact school districts,” says Preston Green, a professor of education at UConn’s Neag School of Education. “So understand that when I’m calling for a moratorium, I’m not calling for a backdoor closure but, rather, really thinking deliberately about how they can exist and be situated in a way that their inefficiencies are lessened.”

If we want students to develop an interest in mathematics and to develop a sense of themselves as people who engage with mathematics for applied or theoretical purposes, we need to design instruction that engages with authentic mathematical practices. As teachers unpack the Common Core State Standards Mathematical Practices Standards, they may notice that several common instructional habits often go against the thinking, habits of mind, and dispositions that support deep understanding.

Desi Nesmith, currently the chief turnaround officer for the state Department of Education, has been named interim commissioner of the department.

Indeed, most of the recent scholarship in this area advocates for moving away from punishment “in favor of positive behavior support,” says Sandra Chafouleas, professor of educational psychology at the University of Connecticut — methods that focus on preventing misbehavior without resorting to punitive measures.