The House Republican Leadership's proposed cuts to the Best Schools Initiative would force the Department of Education to limit the number of schools that can participate in the program, not enroll all 26 of these newly selected schools, or cut assistance to schools participating in the program, undercutting its success. Education is the key to the success of our state and our children in the 21st century economy. But funding alone will not create excellent schools. Providing an excellent education takes setting rigorous standards, giving communities the help they need to meet those standards and then holding schools accountable for improving. The Best Schools Leadership Institute allows districts to tackle challenges that they might not otherwise be able to, and gives them the help they need to make real improvements in their schools.
Every school is different and faces different challenges.
For example, by working with parents and the community to develop early literacy skills, the Golden Brook Elementary School in Windham will focus on making sure children enter school for the first time ready to learn. The Hinsdale Elementary School will focus on improving the performance of their fifth through eighth-grade students in language arts and mathematics. School superintendents from the North Country will work to attract and retain good teachers in North Country schools. The 26 schools and school districts will create teams of parents, students, school board members, educators and business leaders who will attend an intensive week-long academy this summer focused on setting specific goals for improving student achievement and developing practical strategies to meet those goals. Over the next three years, the Institute will support the teams in meeting their goals and measuring their progress against student results. .