CMT-CAPT Skills Checklist Technical Manual. - NAAC

Thus, we – the public as well as educators – have the responsibility to continuallystrive for excellence in Connecticut’s public schools.Every Connecticut public school student has a fundamental right to an equaleducational opportunity as defined by a free public education and a suitableprogram of educational experiences. Equity of opportunity means that eachstudent is provided with the means to achieve the standard of an educated citizenas defined by Connecticut’s Common Core of Learning. Suitable programs aredependent upon:• students having a high-quality preschool experience and entering schoolready to learn;• effective educators who have high expectations for student achievement;• sound facilities and safe environments; and• appropriate resources that are equitably distributed.Schools must offer every student challenging curriculum, common standards,appropriate program options, and opportunities to learn with and from studentsand teachers whose backgrounds differ from their own. Schools must also be heldaccountable for results and the state and local communities must provide theresources for schools to be successful.The State Board of Education defines successful students as those who read,write, compute, think creatively, solve problems and use technology. All studentsshould enjoy and perform in the arts and athletics, and understand history, scienceand other cultures and languages. Each student must be responsible for his or herlearning and behavior, work well with and be helpful to others and contribute tothe community. Every student must graduate from high school and be prepared tomove on to productive work and further study and to function in the globaleconomy. Ultimately, students must become active citizens and lifelong learnerswho leady healthy lives.The following is a partial list of the steps identified by the State Board of Educationas necessary to achieve the outcomes of excellence, equity of opportunity andsuccessful students:• strive for, assess and report on continuous improvement in theachievements of all Connecticut students;• take bold actions to close the achievement gap and reduce studentisolation;• guarantee to all students a challenging curriculum and high-qualityeducational experiences that are tailored to meet each student’s individualneeds;• raise expectations for each student’s achievement and behavior;v