STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (CGS §§ 10-1; 10-3A; 10-4)

● Consists of nine voting members who serve staggered four-year terms, the commissioner of higher education who serves as a nonvoting ex-officio member, and two nonvoting student members who serve one-year terms.

● Recommends candidate for education commissioner to the governor.

● Has general supervision and control of the educational interests of the state, including preschool, elementary, and secondary education; special education; and vocational education. The educational interests of the state, as defined by law are that (1) each student have an equal opportunity to receive a suitable program of educational experiences; (2) each school district finance at a reasonable level at least equal to the state's minimum expenditure requirement an educational program designed to achieve this end; (3) in order to reduce racial, ethnic, and economic isolation, each school district provide educational opportunities for its students to interact with students and teachers from other racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and may provide such opportunities with students from other communities; and (4) statutory mandates relating to education within the State Board of Education's jurisdiction are implemented.

● Sets state educational policy in collaboration with the governor and the General Assembly.

● Oversees the state vocational-technical schools.

● Authorizes charter and interdistrict magnet schools.

● Adjudicates complaints against local boards of education that fail to implement the state's educational interests.

● Serves as the final administrative appeal board for issuing and revoking teaching certificates and other educational credentials needed to work in Connecticut public schools.

QUESTIONS FOR NOMINEES

1. What are the major issues you would like the State Board of Education to address during your term?

2. As a nonvoting member, how do you plan to influence the board's deliberations?

3. Do you see your role on the board as reflecting the concerns and views of your fellow students? How do you plan to communicate with students around the state on issues before the board?

4. The legislature has addressed the issue of bullying in the past. Do you believe that the legislature needs to specifically address issues of “cyber-bullying,” i.e., by e-mail, text messaging, social networking sites?

5. In light of the current economic situation, do you believe that the legislature should require a course in personal finance? If so, what current requirement or elective would you eliminate if it was necessary to do so to add the personal finance course?

6. The State Board of Education approved a plan to make high school graduation requirements more rigorous by, among other things, increasing credit requirements and requiring students to pass state-administered end-of-course tests and submit a senior-year demonstration project. What is your opinion of these proposals?

7. Given the current economic situation, both municipalities and state agencies will probably experience budget cuts. Is there an education-related program that you are aware of that you believe absolutely should not be eliminated or have its funding reduced?

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