A state-appointed commission has announced late last month that the performance gap between low-income Connecticut students and their peers is the largest in the country.
Citing last year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress 8th grade math-test results, the Connecticut Commission on Educational Achievement said late last month that it found a 34-point gap between the state’s low-income and those who are not from low-income families, compared with 27 points nationally. The state’s 4th and 8th grade low-income students are, on average, about three grade levels behind their peers in reading and math.
Members of the commission, who were appointed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, plan to release a report next month with suggestions to close the state’s gap, including looking at prekindergarten, ways to attract better teachers and leaders, and how to reallocate financial resources.
