http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/2012/2012_04_24_ur%20120425%20teacher%20protest.mp3
About a thousand teachers gathered Tuesday evening to protest Governor Dannel Malloy's plans for education reform.
"What do we want? Respect! When do we want it? Now!"
It's a rowdy rally on the steps of the state capitol. Teachers from the state's two largest unions have arrived in yellow school buses from across Connecticut. They hold up protest signs, dance to the Black Eyed Peas -- and, they chant.
"Respect! Now!"
The teachers gathered don't like the Governor's education reform platform. It calls for an overhaul of tenure and teacher evaluations. Those evaluations would -- in part -- be tied to student performance.
Groton Kindergarten teacher Beth Horler says she thinks tying teacher pay to a student's ability to perform on a test is a bad idea.
"And it's not fair to our children. They need a really good solid quality education and they need to have teachers who aren't fearful of teaching beautifully instead of to a test."
The legislature's education committee is working on a substitute version of the bill. Senator Andrea Stillman -- co-chair of the Committee -- told the teachers that the bill is still being negotiated. But along with Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and Senate President Donald Williams, she praised teachers for their work.
Proponents of the Governor's reform plan say it will encourage teacher development and evaluate their work fairly. Legislators have until the end of the session on May 9th to finalize a bill.
