Lawmaker Urges Support

Of School Reforms

HARTFORD (AP) —  A Connecticut lawmaker says he will urge his colleagues to support a reform plan for the state’s secondary schools despite tough financial times.

State Representative Andrew Fleischmann says the proposal to revamp the schools’ curriculum, boost graduation requirements, and make other updates is critical to Connecticut and its students.

Fleischmann, a Democrat from West Hartford, is co-chairman of the Legislature’s Education Committee. The committee held its first meeting of the legislative session Monday. It has not yet discussed specific bills.

Connecticut lost out on $125 million in federal “Race to the Top” funds this year that would have paid for the reforms. Fleischmann says he’ll understand if the reforms must be delayed for budget reasons, but doesn’t want them scrapped.