New Haven launches school reforms

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - The City of New Haven is launching a new school reform plan hoping to turnaround underperforming schools, and for some students and teachers that will mean more time in the classroom.

Katherine Brennan school in New Haven is one of the schools that got the lowest ranking, a Tier III ranking, so every one of the teachers here will now have to re-apply for their jobs.

It's all part of a sweeping reform initiative announced by Mayor John DeStefano Monday. For those schools in Tier III, there will now be a longer school day, teachers will have to re-apply for their jobs, and there will be daily teacher meetings to address student performance.

Teachers will also be given additional training, including 10 days before the school year and up to two hours weekly. The goal is to raise test scores, cut the drop-out rate in half and give every student a shot at going to college.

"We will be able to have more say in the things we do in the curriculum, activities, the school day," Special Education teacher Deirdre Prisco said. "Things like that will be more collaborative between administration and teachers."

How will all this be paid for? News Channel 8 asked Mayor DeStefano.

"I think school change not only in New Haven, but in all the major cities is an essential component in economic recovery," he said. "If that means we have to sacrifice in other areas, if we have to sacrifice as taxpayers to make this happen, I'm going to stand anywhere I have to stand to sell this program to the people that live here."

Only seven schools have been ranked so far.

• Tier I: Davis Street & Edgewood
• Tier II: John C. Daniels & King-Robinson
• Tier III: Katherine Brennan, Urban Youth Middle, Barnard Environmental Magnet

Those schools in Tier I will get some rewards. They get more oversight over their budget and how long the school day will be, so there are incentives built into this system. All 47 schools in New Haven will be ranked by next fall.