Malloy Hits The Road To Promote Education Reform Ideas

STAMFORD, CT (CBSNewYork) - A day after delivering his State of the State address, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy is hitting the road to promote his education reform ideas.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story

Under the governor's plan, another $128 million on education.

$40 million will go to 30 struggling school districts in the state. Some call that a windfall.

Another $4.5 million would go to the Bridgeport schools.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch sees it as an investment.

"We can't have the worst school system in the state being surrounded by extraordinarily wealthy and privileged suburbs. That's just a disconnect that's totally un-American and we've got to fix it and it isn't just all about the money, because with this new funding comes state oversight of failing schools," said Finch.

Danbury stands to receive another $1.7 million and nearly $1 million would go to Stamford.

Malloy also wants additional funding for charter schools and an overhaul in teacher tenure.

Phil Apruzzese of the Connecticut Education Association believes Malloy's view of the tenure system is flawed.

"It is not a job for life. It is not just earned by showing up," Apruzzese told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane.

Patrick Riccards of the reform group ConnCAN sees an effort to boost the quality of educators and greater accountability over dollars spent.

"And of the teacher we have in the classroom, whether they be in their first year or whether they be 30 years in the profession, are doing the job that's required of them," he said. "He's focusing on teacher certification, what's required for a teacher entering the classroom. He's focused on educator evaluation. How do we know that those who are teaching our children are doing the jobs that they're supposed to and that our children are learning."

What do you have to say about education in Connecticut? Sound off in the comments section below!