ANNOUNCEMENT
July 3, 2003

Innovative School Guide Speaks in Plain Language To Connecticut and Caregivers

In today’s Information Age, it’s easy to be swamped by information overload. For parents, trying to navigate the public school system can be a daunting task.

That, according to Mike Meotti, president of the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council (CPEC), is the fundamental idea behind “Our Children, Our Schools: A Family Resource Guide to Connecticut’s Public Schools.” The guide, produced by CPEC and the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) is an A-to-Z resource for parents and caregivers of children in the Connecticut public schools. Presented in a concise, easy-to-understand format, the guide contains information that parents need to become more involved in their child’s education and school system decision-making. Readers will get useful information on the following topics:

The objective, plain-language approach takes the mystery out of public education and encourages parents to become informed consumers of educational services. “This guide offers parents a unique perspective on the public schools and their child’s educational environment,” says Meotti. “We have not come across any other resource like this in Connecticut.”

“Our Children, Our Schools” blends practical information that parents can use, like information on kindergarten registration and questions to ask at a parent-teacher conference, with performance measurement tools that can help parents to measure school quality. This approach, says Donna Studdiford, CPEC project director, gives parents a tool they can use to impact their child’s individual educational experience, or to be parent advocates impacting the broad education policy decisions affecting Connecticut’s public schools. “Parents can get information on preparing their child for school, or they can bring the guide to a school board meeting and ask detailed questions about school expenditures,” says Studdiford.

The guide was released in March 2002 and is being distributed through schools, parent networks and community-based organizations across the state. A total of 75,000 copies were published. “It is being received with tremendous enthusiasm,” Studdiford says.

“Our Children, Our Schools” was produced by CPEC with major support from SBC/SNET. Other supporters of the project include Travelers Insurance, Aquarion Water Company and the Carse Robinson Foundation.

CPEC is a statewide resource for local community groups seeking to enhance citizen involvement in local school and government decision-making. CPEC provides information and innovative decision-making processes to citizens, community and business leaders, civic organizations and local governments to set priorities and improve government performance.

CABE serves local and regional boards of education in Connecticut and is dedicated to improving the quality of education throughout the state and nation. CABE is a leading advocate for public education at the state capital and in Washington, D.C., and offers many types of support services to local boards of education.

The SBC Foundation is the charitable giving arm of SBC Communications, Inc. and its family of companies. In 2001, SBC, through Foundation and corporate giving, donated nearly $99 million to support efforts that enrich and strengthen diverse communities nationwide. The Foundation places primary emphasis on supporting programs that help increase access to information technologies; broaden technology training and skills development; and effectively integrate new technologies to enhance education and economic development-especially for underserved populations.

For more information, contact

Donna Studdiford at CPEC
(860) 722-2490 x16