HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Gov. Jodi Rell wants to merge Connecticut's technical high schools and community colleges in a move she says would cut costs and provide better training.
Rell introduced the "middle college" proposal Feb. 4 when she delivered her budget address to the legislature. She estimated the savings at $4 million a year.
Critics, including some who refer to the plan as the "Middle-Earth" proposal, question the savings. Since the 17 technical high schools and 12 community colleges do not share campuses, students would have to travel by bus for distances of up to 20 miles.
The state does have three middle colleges in Manchester, Hartford and Danielson that combine ordinary high schools and community colleges. Some students have been able to complete enough courses for the first year of college by the time they graduate from high school.
Supporters say that the plan will prepare technical high school students better for the job market.
"This is too elegant an idea to not make it work," Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan said.
