BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The Connecticut Education Association recently circulated a teacher survey critical of Bridgeport Public Schools, but district administrators say they knew nothing about it, and they still don't know much.
Earlier in the week, the CEA issued a release called, "Bridgeport Educators Overwhelmingly Express No Confidence in Superintendent."
In that release, the CEA says 97% of the nearly 600 Bridgeport teachers who responded to the survey have no confidence in BPS Superintendent Dr. Carmela Levy-David's ability to manage the school system effectively. The survey was conducted by the Bridgeport Education Association, highlighting a growing sense of frustration, fear of retaliation and lack of resources within the district.
"The results of this survey should come as no surprise and should be a wake-up call to the Board of Education to take action," said CEA President Kate Dias. "Our teachers have held rallies and are speaking loud and clear: they feel unsupported, unappreciated and fearful of retaliation if they voice their concerns. It's unacceptable that so many educators are considering leaving the district, and it's a direct reflection of the superintendent’s failure to foster a collaborative and respectful environment. We need leadership that listens to teachers, addresses the real issues in our schools and works with us to provide our students with the resources and support they deserve.”
According to the survey, 93% of teachers expressed fear of retaliation if they voice concerns about current conditions, 93% report Levy-David has been unprofessional while dealing with educators and staff members, 92% say she lacks consistency in carrying out policies and procedures, 88% believe policy decisions are not based on research and 80% are considering or have considered leaving Bridgeport for a position in another school district.
The Bridgeport school district became aware of the survey Wednesday night and reached out to the CEA on Thursday to discuss and view the survey but did not hear back by the end of the day.
“While we are disappointed that the CEA did not communicate those results to us first so we could have worked collaboratively, we take the concerns raised about teachers’ confidence in our leadership seriously,” Levy-David said in a release.
The Bridgeport school district says it implemented policies at the beginning of this school year in hopes of improving student outcomes. The district acknowledged several of its shortfalls in recent years.
According to district data, Bridgeport is one of the lowest-performing school systems in the state. An English Language Arts state assessment showed that only 20% of the district’s students are performing at or above grade level, while 80% of students are not performing on grade level.
Additionally, the district’s math state assessment results revealed that just 12% of students are performing at or above grade level, while 88% of students are not performing on grade level.
Research shows that teachers have the greatest impact on student outcomes, and the district says its priorities will empower teachers with the resources and unconditional support necessary to make BPS one of the state’s best school districts.
In response to the new policies, BPS says teachers communicated that the roll out of changes was both overwhelming and occurring too quickly. In response, district administrators say they listened and scaled back the changes.
According to Levy-David, the feedback she has received regarding the district’s change of pace is appreciated. She said she is committed to adjusting how BPS implements its strategies and that administrators are actively working with key stakeholders such as teachers to make needed improvements.
“We understand that feelings of fear and apprehension can significantly impact our staff’s willingness to communicate openly, but their feedback is essential to continue to make things better for them moving forward,” Levy-David said. “We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment where educators feel empowered to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of retaliation.”
BPS says its administrators are working hard to continue improving the district for teachers, so they can provide the best service to students. The district says teachers have a responsibility under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to provide equitable education opportunities for all students, regardless of their race, color or national origin.
“We are determined to implement changes that uphold students’ rights to receive fair access to education, irrespective of their special needs or learning differences,” Levy-David said. “Every teacher entered this profession to meet students’ needs, and I am confident that all educators in Bridgeport are committed to this cause and will support our efforts to transform our students’ lives.”
The CEA says the survey also revealed concerns regarding special education. Teachers reported inappropriate placements for students, overburdened caseloads and insufficient support, causing what they consider to be a crisis for both students and staff.
"We will always stand up to protect teachers and students from superintendents who fail to address the changes our schools need,” said Dias. "Our educators deserve a leader who respects their expertise and works collaboratively to solve the challenges facing our schools. We need leadership that listens to teachers, addresses the real issues in our schools, and works with us to provide our students with the resources and support they deserve. It’s time for the district to prioritize solutions that make a real difference for both students and staff and that means a new administrator to lead the district forward."
On Thursday, the complete survey results were shared with the Bridgeport Board of Education members but apparently not with Levy-David or her team.
Dias promised that the effort will continue to move forward and that Bridgeport teachers will continue to be heard.
"We will continue to advocate with resolve and determination to do what's right for our students and our profession," Dias said.
This is a developing story. More details will be shared as they become public in the coming days and weeks.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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