Education groups team up to promote reform ideas

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Groups representing school boards, superintendents, business groups and education reform activists are joining to announce their shared priorities for the new Connecticut legislative session.

Representatives of the six groups will meet Tuesday to discuss their concerns about closing the achievement gap between wealthy and poor students.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state education officials have said reforming the state's public schools will be their top priority in the legislative session, which runs through May.

The groups participating in Tuesday's event are the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Council for Education Reform, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now, Connecticut Association of Schools and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

Connecticut's teacher unions and parent advocacy groups have also expressed support for education reform efforts.