A View from the Classroom: Proven Ideas for Student Achievement is a comprehensive education reform plan developed by teachers that includes changing the teacher evaluation process and replacing tenure with a streamlined dismissal process for underperforming teachers.

Without question, there's no greater asset to improving public schools than high-quality teachers. Teachers are in the classroom every day; they know what is needed to prepare students for the economic challenges ahead. Prepared by teachers, A View from the Classroom: Proven Ideas for Student Achievement proposes specific ideas that can make a real difference to improve education for Connecticut students.

The plan focuses on shared accountability including teachers and the larger community to close the achievement gap by

Connecticut cannot build a strong local economy unless it provides high-quality education, and the state cannot have high-quality schools without adequate funding, small class sizes, and the involvement of parents and communities to transform local schools that need help. Teachers will do their part, as this plan proposes creating an evaluation system for educators that uses multiple indicators of quality teaching and developing a streamlined dismissal process to remove underperforming teachers.

Teachers lead classrooms, and their voice is necessary to ensure meaningful education reform. Please read this document carefully as educators look forward to engaging in a positive, collaborative dialogue with lawmakers, parents, and everyone who's interested in improving the quality of our public schools and preparing our students for tomorrow's challenges.