Education Bills in CT To Be Aware OF

3/12/2007

2007 - Proposed CT Legislation Marching This State To Socialism

By Judy Aron

Good intentions or larger plan? If you examine the proposed legislation it should become clear to what is slowly being rolled out in CT regarding how early child education, public education and mental health initiatives are all being combined. It is already happening in other states in the country, like Illinois, Minnesota and New Jersey for example. The underlying agenda is to have children attend school as early as 3 years old, with health (including mental health screening) services to be administered from schools instead of your own family care. Medical facilities/resources will be located at the school. This is all taxpayer funded. While “Universal Taxpayer Funded Preschool” is now just being proposed on a voluntary basis here in CT, once the infrastructure is put into place, the compulsory school age will be lowered and all children will be required to attend school at age three. Government/taxpayer funded universal preschool is offered in most European countries, and “Social Progressives” are pushing those initiatives here. Most children in Britain already start full-time school -- in so-called "reception" classes -- at age 4. Standards and developmental benchmarks have been set by the State and woe to the parent of the child who doesn’t meet those standards which include nutrition and weight.

Mental health screening and early childhood education is going hand in hand in many states, as is the expansion of compulsory school age in some states to encompass age 4 to 18. The ultimate is Pre-K to age 22. Yes, age 22, as the community colleges and other forms of higher education will be part of the entire school program. The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors for Higher Education are already working together on many initiatives to encompass this “K-16” learning in CT, and that will soon be including Pre-K as well.

From the CT State Department of Education website:

School to Careers (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2678&q=320728 )

“To develop a comprehensive K-16 system of school-based learning, work-based learning and connecting activities that leads to the attainment of a Connecticut Career Certificate, which is a portable credential that attests to mastery of employer-identified academic, employability and technical skills within one of eight career clusters.”

Changes are starting to develop in compulsory school age legislation. Many states already have their special education compulsory school age set at 3 years old, and have delineated between pre school age and kindergarten age. Many states are looking at lowering compulsory school ages to under 5 years, as well as extending compulsory school ages in high school from 16 to 18. We should be very concerned about these initiatives, which are all planned to be in place by 2012 based on UNESCO’s agendas. Of course this goal is also being pushed by teacher unions who stand to benefit from increased membership as more teachers will be needed for younger kids and the extension of high school.

The District of Columbia already has the lowest compulsory attendance age in the country and one of the worst academic records. It should be noted that children under five primarily need parenting, not schooling. Many social pathologies are linked to parents spending little time with their children. The question is not whether some parents might wish to send their two and three-year-olds to school; the question is whether ALL parents should be forced to send ALL children age three and up to school.

The children of China attend kindergarten from the age of three to five. Government regulations from 1981 dictate three separate learning levels: juniors (three-year-olds), middle (four-year-olds), and seniors (five-year-olds). The country has also set rules and regulations outlining the qualifications of kindergarten teachers. Past Commissioner of Education, Betty Sternberg went on a trip to China 2 years ago to observe and take notes to add to our states “best practices”. The current Education Commissioner wishes to extend the school day as well as the school year.

Husky and Medicaid services are being expanded here in CT and universal health care is being considered. All of it is taxpayer funded. Databases are being set up and funded to track and label us and our kids.

Later school start times are being used to integrate preschool into the bus schedules, and it is also allowing “scientific research” to drive policy making. The scientific research is being funded by pharmaceutical companies seeking to sell sleep medication as well as behavior modification drugs. Sleep studies are being used to convince the public that teens need later start times; brain development studies are being used to tell us that 3-4 year olds are better off in school than with family; and mental health screenings will be used to evaluate children and label them and place children in the pipeline to receive therapy and medication, so they can be better managed. Initiatives in California, New Jersey, Illinois, and Minnesota are quite chilling and everyone should be mindful of where this may be leading us. In New Jersey, pregnant and post partum women are being mandated to be screened for mental illness. In other places, babies are being screened for mental illness and their DNA is being collected. Birth to three programs are expanding to include more kids. Three and four year olds are being placed in preschool away from their parents, and while they are there, they are being assessed and labeled. The therapists and drug companies are benefiting from these initiatives.

In CT we are seeing legislation proposed which bring us closer to a Socialist model, some of this legislation is even being prompted by federal grants and initiatives. Legislation is intended to create more dependency on the state. Of course all this is being done under the guise of “helping citizens and providing for their needs”. Womb to tomb Socialist legislation is being proposed in legislatures all over the country. This is despite the fact that we already know that “pre-k for all” has been a costly failure and socialized medicine has bankrupted the economies in the EU. Private schools and private hospitals are also being attacked and brought under public auspices.

Here are just some bills currently under consideration in the CT General Assembly:

Establishing Health Information Tracking Systems

HB7376 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK. To establish a Connecticut Health Information Network for the purpose of integrating state health and social services data, consistent with state and federal privacy laws, within and across various state agencies.

SB408- AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE MEDICAL DATA CENTER.To consolidate state medical records and health statistics in one central medical data center.

HB5743- AN ACT REQUIRING DNA TESTING FOR NEWBORNS. ”To make it easier to identify individuals who die in tragic accidents or natural disasters.” That title 19a of the general statutes be amended to require that (1) newborns undergo DNA testing at birth, and (2) the DNA test results be entered upon the birth record of such child and provided to the child's parents within a specified time period.

HB6839 - AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
To develop and implement a state-wide health information technology plan.

Universal Health Care – The State Will provide Your Health Care at Taxpayer Expense Dictating to You What Health Care You May Receive and Dictating to Providers What They Can Charge For Their Services

SB1 - AN ACT INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTH CARE. To ensure that all Connecticut residents have access to affordable, quality health care.

HB6693 - AN ACT CONCERNING CREATION OF A STATE HEALTH CARE PLAN. To create a state health care plan to provide quality, affordable health care coverage to all Connecticut residents. That the general statutes be amended to provide for the creation of a state health care plan to provide quality, affordable health care coverage to all residents of Connecticut, which shall be funded by employer and individual contributions. It is proposed that (1) such plan shall be available to all state residents who are ineligible for Medicare, and (2) the state shall negotiate reasonable rates of payment for health care providers participating in the plan.

HB6969 - AN ACT CONCERNING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.
To provide health care access to all Connecticut citizens, reduce the average cost of health care and increase productivity for a healthier economy.

Establishing and Expanding Health Care in Schools

HB7366 - AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CLINICS AND COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. - To enhance and expand services provided by school-based and federally qualified health clinics.

HB5074 - AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. To increase funding for school-based health centers.

HB6194- AN ACT CONCERNING A SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER AT ROGERS PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN DANBURY.- To establish a school-based health center at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury.

SB175 - AN ACT CONCERNING AN APPROPRIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. To provide funding to allow school-based health centers to provide mental health services.

HB6336 - AN ACT CONCERNING AN APPROPRIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AT SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN THE TOWN OF STAMFORD. To address the growing need for mental health and psychiatric services in school based health centers.

SB676 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT. To establish school-based health centers in schools in eastern and southeastern Connecticut where there are many children in need of heath care.

SB669 - AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. To provide adequate funding for school-based health centers.

HB6331 - AN ACT CONCERNING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EXPANSION OF SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS. To provide funding to expand the operations and services of school-based health centers.

SB667 - AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.- To restore funding for local health departments in order to improve their ability to meet increasing local health demands, including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness; and to increase per capita aid to health districts by fifty per cent.

SB688 - AN ACT CONCERNING STATE ENHANCEMENT TO THE FEDERAL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN. - To establish a state-funded program substantially similar to the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children.

SB1220 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE BIRTH-TO-THREE PROGRAM.- To amend the criteria for eligibility and provider qualifications under the birth-to-three program. eligibility for services under the birth-to-three program may include, but need not be limited to, the following: (i) Low birthweight; (ii) reduced gestation; (iii) maternal age at the time of the child's birth; (iv) family violence; (v) family substance abuse; (vi) a history of being in the care or custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families; or (vii) prolonged hospital admissions.

Establishing Universal Taxpayer Funded Preschool

SB357 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIVERSAL SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM. - To improve the school readiness of children. That the general statutes be amended to provide for a universal, state-funded, quality early childhood education program with focus on pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten. Such program shall be phased in over a period of five years and take into account existing private early childhood education programs.

SB501 - AN ACT CONCERNING UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL EDUCATION IN CERTAIN CITIES.- To provide for universal preschool education in the large cities by 2012.

SB920 - AN ACT CONCERNING STAMFORD'S SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM.
To provide financial assistance for Stamford's efforts to expand its existing and highly successful school readiness program through the creation of a laboratory school and related teacher training activities.

HB5845 - AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS. To increase funding available for early childhood education programs to increase capacity of districts to serve students.

HB7355 - AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL.
To require a study of the feasibility of expanding preschool availability to four year olds.

Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) The Early Childhood Education Cabinet, established pursuant to section 10-16s of the general statutes, shall study the feasibility of expanding preschool availability to all four-year olds in this state. The cabinet shall study the provision of preschool to all four year olds living (1) in priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p of the general statutes, (2) in school districts that have a priority school, as defined in section 10-16p of the general statutes, and (3) in all remaining school districts. The cabinet shall assess the feasibility of the provision of such preschool for each of the categories of school districts in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection, individually. In determining the feasibility of providing preschool for all four year olds living in the school districts described in said subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, the cabinet shall consider: (A) Costs of providing for such preschool, including the operating and capital costs, (B) additional space and facility requirements, (C) number of eligible students, (D) number of additional teachers required and training and qualifications, (E) possible funding, including grants or bonding by the state and fees paid by parents based on a sliding scale, and (F) program standards. The cabinet shall also consider ways to maximize the use of private providers of early childhood education that meet the standards established by the Department of Education, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16p of the general statutes.

HB7360 - AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO SCHOOL.- To require the Department of Education to develop assessments for children in grades kindergarten to three, inclusive.

SB1282 - AN ACT CONCERNING MODEL EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING PROGRAMS.- To amend the pilot early childhood learning grant program to eliminate some of the grant eligibility limitations and add that the programs be eligible for five years and associated with institutions of higher education.

CT Extending Compulsory School age - 5 to 18 – and delineating younger ages to prepare for Pre-K component, and making kindergarten full day.

SB356 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE AGE FOR KINDERGARTEN ADMISSION.-
To require kindergarten students to have turned five years old by September first.

SB487 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE AGE OF ENTRANCE FOR KINDERGARTEN. To provide that children may attend kindergarten if they turn age five on or before the first day of September of any school year, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.

HB5878 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR KINDERGARTEN ADMISSION. To establish a September first cut-off date for kindergarten admission.

HB5886 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE AGE AT WHICH A CHILD CAN WITHDRAW FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION. To raise the age from sixteen to eighteen at which a child can withdraw from public education with parental permission.

HB6741 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN. To give towns the option to limit full-day kindergarten eligibility based on child development standards.

HB6524 - AN ACT CONCERNING UNIVERSAL FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN.
To give all students in the state an opportunity to attend a full day of kindergarten in order to help develop social and educational skills.

The School “Weight Police” in YOUR Home

HB5353 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY.
To prevent childhood obesity. That chapter 169 of the general statutes be amended to require (1) each local or regional board of education to require each pupil enrolled in the public schools to have a body mass index test in grade six, and (2) that parents and guardians be consulted regarding the results of the test.

HB7350 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY.
To prevent childhood obesity.- Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2007) Each local and regional board of education shall provide for an assessment of the body mass index of each child enrolled in the sixth grade in schools under the board's jurisdiction. The school shall notify the parent or guardian of each such child of the results of such assessment and whether such results qualify the child as being underweight, at a healthy weight, at risk of becoming overweight or overweight based on percentiles for the age and the gender of the child published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For purposes of this section, a child is (1) underweight if the child's body mass index is in a range that is less than the fifth percentile, (2) at a healthy weight if the child's body mass index is at or above the fifth percentile, but less than the eighty-fifth percentile, (3) at risk of becoming overweight if the child's body mass index is in the range that is greater than the eighty-fifth percentile, but less than the ninety-fifth percentile, or (4) overweight if the child's body mass index is in the range that is greater than the ninety-fifth percentile.

Will Private Schools Be Subsumed Under Public Schools?

HB5875 - AN ACT CONCERNING A PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PAROCHIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION. To establish a Public-Private-Parochial Education Commission to study school funding and constitutional issues such as the separation of church and state.

Later School Start Times

HB6192- AN ACT CONCERNING A PROGRAM TO INCENTIVIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO START HIGH SCHOOL NO EARLIER THAN NINE O'CLOCK A.M.- To provide monetary incentives for schools to start at 9 a.m.

Socialism – and complete with kids being mandated to study Chinese and join the Youth Corps ! The school will be the parent now to teach your children their version of life skills and parenting

SB502 - AN ACT CONCERNING A PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS STUDYING CHINESE.- To prepare students to deal with the largest single group of people in the world and our largest trading partner.

SB913 - AN ACT CONCERNING A CONNECTICUT YOUTH CORPS.- To create a Connecticut Youth Corps consisting of high school students in their junior year, who will be assigned to various public service jobs around the state based on a student's essay from the Who Wants to Change the World student contest.

HB6759 - AN ACT CONCERNING LIFE SKILLS STUDIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
To require students to complete a course in life skills management prior to graduating from high school.

HB6724 - AN ACT CONCERNING PARENTING EDUCATION.- To require a program of parenting education to provide students with essential information on parenting and the needs of a child.

The State is Standardizing Graduation Requirements and Local Control Will Be Lost – The State Will Determine Proficiency

HB1410 - AN ACT CONCERNING HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS REFORM. To enhance high school graduation requirements and to require a score of proficient or higher on the tenth grade mastery test for graduation.

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Two Good Bills Promoting Parental Rights

HB6202 - AN ACT CONCERNING PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AND PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS FOR PARENTS.- To expand the current procedural safeguards regarding a parent's right to informed consent and right to refuse psychiatric or psychological testing and evaluation of their child.

HB5883 - AN ACT CONCERNING WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL.- To allow parents to home school their children and to require the board of education to respect their decision.

Look up CT bills here