Malloy unveils plan to take over state's worst schools if necessary

Hartford – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today announced a proposal for a $24.8 million program to potentially take over and turn around Connecticut’s worst schools, the most aggressive component unveiled to date in his education reform plan.

Dubbed the “Commissioner’s Network,” the program would target up to 25 of the lowest-performing schools over the next two years and provide a system of state supports and interventions.

The program would implement best practices in these schools that have worked in other schools both in-state and across the country, such as an extended school day or school year, and increased compensation to attract higher-quality teachers.

Malloy said that if a district has the “competency” and “willingness” to reform a failing school, it would still administer the school but would partner with the state during the turnaround process. Otherwise, the state would serve as a temporary trustee and bring in a third party to operate the school, such as a university, non-profit organization or charter management  company.

“Education reform will only succeed if we take it on comprehensively and extensively, and we stop nibbling around the edges,” Malloy said this afternoon in announcing the program, which would be run by the State Department of Education’s new Turnaround Team.

Earlier in the day, the Malloy administration announced a separate but related $21.6 million proposal that would boost alternative school funding and create incentives for local districts to open new charter schools.

Malloy would not say how exactly the state would pay for his education plan, but ruled out any tax increase or “revenue enhancements.”

The governor said he will reveal more details of his proposed legislation in his State of the State address on Wednesday. “Stay tuned,” Malloy said. “I’m rolling it out, folks.”