New Policy Outlines Directive To Hire From Top Ranked Universities
By Jonathan Stankiewicz
A new directive aimed at hiring new faculty from top ranked colleges and universities detailed in a September press release from Bristol Public Schools Superintendent Philip Streifer has fueled an uproar at CCSU.
The new administrative policy would use the U.S. News & World Report as its background for the new “top tier” graduates.
Streifer, in his 39th year in education, has his own master’s degree from CCSU.
CCSU was founded as teaching college in 1849, and is the oldest public university in the state.
On Nov. 8, Streifer sent out a press release dedicated to CCSU and the CSU system regarding his new policy since it had been picked up by local media.
In the release Streifer says “Attention has focused on CCSU; however my policies are not intended as a criticism of my friends at CCSU.”
CCSU and all the other CSU schools aren’t on the top tier list in the report that is issued every year.
“Unfortunately, none of the CSU schools are on that list – a fact which should not be of my concern,” said Streifer in his Nov. 8 press release.
A School Fights Back
Mitchell Sakofs, Dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies at CCSU, disagrees with Streifer.
“Our teacher preparation is superb,” said Sakofs, “and I regularly hear from teachers and superintendents that they prefer CCSU graduates.”
Sakofs added “The direction has no basis in any research that exists. Both types of students perform equally, there is no research that says that tier one students do better.”
Sakofs argues that CCSU and other colleges have been singled out.
“In order to insure that you have the best teachers you want to expand the pool,” said Sakofs, “don’t narrow it.”
As many as 35-40 CCSU graduates are in the Bristol Public School system, said Sakofs.
The teacher of the year for the 2011 school year in Bristol was Lisa Galske, a CCSU graduate who teaches physical education at Greene-Hills School and Southside School.
“CCSU does a great job with our high standards,” said Sakofs, “and we meet NCATE [National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education].
“NCATE is a non-profit, non-governmental alliance of 33 national professional education and public organizations representing millions of Americans who support quality teaching,” says the NCATE mission statement.
“It is disappointing that the superintendent would think to show preference to national tier one institutions,” said Sakofs.
“We will not change what we do,” said Sakofs. “Our teachers have confidence in the work that we are doing and stand in opposition to what he [Streifer] said.”
Sakofs added that CCSU graduates are the workforce for the state.
Tim Reagan, Department Chair of Teacher Education at CCSU, said that “the new policy is misguided.”
Reagan said that there is no evidence that suggests that tier one students make better teachers.
“I’m very concerned,” said Reagan, “this is a bad policy decision and hurts Bristol and the students I am responsible for.”
Reagan is confident that this will pass.
“I genuinely believe that this is something that is not going to last,” said Reagan. “This will go away, but it may take awhile.”
Graduates of CCSU receive rave reviews and make great teachers, added Reagan.
Associate Professor of English Dr. Steven Ostrowski at CCSU said that he was “blindsided” by the memo.
“I understand you want to get as diverse a pool as you can, but you still want the best people,” said Ostrowski on the administrative policy, “ but it’s like cutting your nose off.”
Ostrowski said that students have been going out there for years and that this is their loss.
“They are making a big mistake,” said Ostrowski, “the quality of the school of education is cutting edge.”
Ostrowski stressed that this type of policy could spread.
“This is very frustrating,” said Ostrowski. “This has a real ramification in jobs for our graduates; we want as a big a post as possible.”
“A Harvard graduate possibly could have a higher GPA and a richer education. Who’s the better teacher? Bet you can’t tell if you didn’t know,” said Ostrowski.
Ostrowski vowed to “fight that much harder.”
“Really look at the program and give them a chance, we aren’t hiding,” said Ostrowski. “We feel confident in our people and this isn’t fair.”
An Administrative Policy
“My job is to implement the Board [of Education] goals and initiatives,” said Streifer.
Since he was hired almost four years ago Streifer said that Bristol has changed many policies both in schools and in the administration.
“I feel good about the policy, it needed to be put into policy,” said Streifer. “I am not apologetic.”
The policy, according to Streifer, is his interpretation of the Board’s broader directive that they have given him.
Streifer emphasized that this policy is nothing new and from his powerpoint in year one it said that “we will hire the best.”
“We live in a world where media access to an issue is more prevalent,” said Streifer of the media attention over the last few weeks.
“I understand CCSU’s reaction…I think it was an overreaction. It is not my responsibility or concern where CCSU ranks,” said Streifer.
Streifer knows that this is an important issue.
“A superintendent needs to be prepared and it is key to have a strong philosophical position,” said Streifer.
Streifer added that the policy is not about CCSU.
“My policy has come off as a ‘either or’ and isn’t intended to be,” said Streifer. “This is a ‘both and’ policy.”
“I have a degree from CCSU and I am proud of it,” said Streifer. “This is not a criticism.”
“We just want to see who is in the candidate pool,” said Streifer. “Diversity and having a multiply faceted background is important.”
Streifer said that Bristol has offered many teachers retirement packages and has 50 plus positions that they will have to fill in the next two years.
“Time…time will tell,” said Streifer over all the controversy. “We will hire CCSU grads and others from other institutions. Over time people will see the world isn’t ending.”
Streifer wants his staff “to look at everyone in the candidate pool.”
“This is important,” said Streifer on his policy, “the Board has a set of goals and this is an important strategy to achieve them.”
Bristol has seen improvements though, Streifer said that Bristol scores are rising and have been for eight years in a row.
Streifer is trying to “take it to the next level” and move “beyond what we can achieve now.”
“I was hired to make Bristol that much better,” said Streifer.
“This is one of 100 strategies,” said Streifer, “CCSU should understand that instead of being mad at us…if they can’t so be it.”
Student Frustration
Matt Vekakis, CCSU Student Government President is puzzled by the memo and press release.
“What’s the logic?” said Vekakis. “It depends on the person not on the school.”
Vekakis is upset at the current situation and hopes that this sentiment isn’t shared by other superintendents.
“I hope that the superintendent misspoke and will retract what he said,” said Vekakis. “CCSU supersedes every requirement…we have a great program for educators.”
Vekakis believes that there is no difference between students and their schools.
“Just because you come from a tier one school doesn’t mean you will be a good teacher,” said Vekakis.
CCSU Junior Erin Flynn, a elementary education and english major, said she was shocked when she found out about the memo and press release.
Flynn said that this situation was discouraging and that she is very offended.
“This is a slap in the face,” said Flynn. “This is not the right way to go.”
Flynn explained how students from CCSU can connect to local elementary students because students like her grew up around here.
“Students from tier one schools who aren’t from here can’t relate or understand these kids,” said Flynn.
Flynn said that “Central has the best teaching program” and that “you have to jump hurdles to get in.”
“Students need to know about this,” said Flynn. “It needs to be brought up…an open discussion.”
“This undermines the entire reputation of our school,” said Vekakis. “I would hope that people would have faith in our community and have our backs when something like this happens.”
Vekakis said that he will soon talk to the CCSU administration.