Defendants' Amended Disclosure of Expert Witnesses
Public Court Documents
July 15, 1992

24 pages
Cite this item
-
Case Files, Sheff v. O'Neill Hardbacks. Defendants' Amended Disclosure of Expert Witnesses, 1992. 9bc6777e-a246-f011-877a-002248226c06. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/ba1edf5e-b2cf-40c0-ab53-72ed9b2b745c/defendants-amended-disclosure-of-expert-witnesses. Accessed July 29, 2025.
Copied!
NO. CV=-89-0360977 8 MILO SHEFF, ET AL. Plaintiffs SUPERIOR COURT JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF - e V. 3 HARTFORD/NEW BRITAIN : AT HARTFORD WILLIAM A, O'NEILL, ET AL. : JULY 15, 1992 Defendants DEFENDANTS' AMENDED DISCLOSURE OF EXPERT WITNESSES Pursuant to the order of the court establishing a schedule for disclosure of expert witnesses, employees and consultants expected to present testimony at trial, the defendants offer the following amended list and disclosure. This disclosure is provided in lieu of the defendants' disclosure dated May 15, 1992, The defendants wish to emphasize that the particular facts and opinions which will be offered by the witnesses listed below are not the only facts and opinions which the witnesses may offer at trial. The defendants expect to supplement their disclosure | after the plaintiffs have fully and finally answered the defendants’ first. set of . interrogatories and requests for product ion and the defendants have had an opportunity to consider and prepare whatever response may be appropriate to claims made by the plaintiffs in response to that discovery. Defendants also expect to supplement this list with additional names and additional information as work now in progress and work to be undertaken after the plaintiffs fully and finally answer the defendants’ interrogatories and requests for production 1s completed. X, Christine Rossell, Ph.D. (Expert Witness) Boston University, 232 Bay State Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02215: Dr. Rossell is a Professor of Political Science at Boston University. Professor Rossell is expected to testify that the State of Connecticut is responding appropriately to the educational conditions in the Hartford area by encouraging and funding voluntary integration and compensating poor school districts for their poverty. Professor Rossell will also testify regarding the benefits of the voluntary measures which the state has undertaken versus mandatory desegregation plans. | Professor Rossell will base her testimony on her scholarly research of the following at least: I 1. the evolution of school desegregation; 2. national school desegregation trends; 3. measuring the effectiveness of school desegregation; 4. the relative merit of voluntary and nandatory school |i desegregation plans; 5.. white flight as a function of desegregation; b. the effectiveness of specific approaches to i desegregation; i.e., freedom of choice, majority-to-minority transfer, controlled choice, magnet schools, etc.; || 7. netropoiitan-based desegregation plans; 8. State of Connecticut policies and programs to encourage voluntary desegregation including a comparison of those programs | “and policies to programs and policies in other states. Among ‘other things, Dr. Rossell. will rely on her ‘work entitled The Carrot or the Stick for School Desegregation Policy, Temple University Press, 1990. Dr. Rossell's resume has been provided to plaintiffs as Exhibit 19(a) of defendants' response to plaintiffs' fourth request for production. David Armor, Ph.D. (Expert Witness) 5006 Klingle Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20031: Dr. Armor 1s currently Visiting Professor, Rutgers University; Consultant, American Institutes for Research; and President, National Policy Analysts. Dr. Armor is principal investigator for a grant to write a treatise On ;irace, education 38nd the. courts; co-principal investigator on a naticnal study of magnet schools; and an associate investigator “on a project that is conducting. case studies of school?districts with school choice policies. Dr. Armor 1s expected to testify: 1, that research has demonstrated no significant and consistent effects of desegregation on Black achlevement; 2. that most of the differences in performance on the CMT between Hartford and suburban pupils can be attributed to differences in family background characteristics and especially socioeconomic status; 3. that for most people personal preference, not private discrimination or governmental actions, determines where people live. Dr. Armor may also testify on other topics. Dr. Armor will base his testimony on his scholarly analysis of the -esearch literature in each area on which he will focus as well as his own originalistudies including his study of the CMT results and the results of a survey of Hartford area At this time Dr. Armor has not finally completed his analysis of residents. the CMT results or the survey results. His conclusions 1n regard to these aspects of his work are preliminary. Dr. aArmor's resume has been provided to the plaintiffs as Exhibit 19(b) to defendants' response to plaintiffs' fourth request for production. Gl 3" Dr. Donald Ferree (Expert Witness) Institute for Sccial Inquiry, Roper Center for Public Opinion, P. O. Box 440, Storrs, Connecticut. 'Uol268: Dr. Ferree is the Associate Director of the ‘Institute for Social Inquiry, University of Connecticut. Dr. Ferree's resume | has been provided as Exhibit 19(3) to defendants’ response to plaintiffs' fourth request for production. Dr. Ferree is expected to testify regarding proper methods and prccedures for conducting a public opinion poll to ascertain | the attitudes of Connecticut residents and/or groups of | Connecticut residents. He is expected to present and explain the results of a survey conducted by the Institute for Social Inquiry at the request of the Governor's Commission on Quality and Integrated Education. The results to that survey are summarized in the "attachment ‘tc Exhitit 6 in support of the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. In addition he will present the results of a follow up on tne survey done for the GCQIE designed to specifically assess the attitudes of African Americans and Latinos living in Connecticut's urban. centers. The results of that follcw up survey show the following; a. Urban minorities do not see a necessary link between integration and quality of education. b. Urban minorities do not believe it is impossible to have quality education without integration. c. Urban minorities hold values which are in conflict with the goal of achieving better racial and ethnic balance for balance sake including the values of "keeping children 1in the same town they live in", "making sure your children are NOT in a small racial minority", "children should normally go ‘to the schools closest to their homes", and "parents should always have the. final choice of where their children go to, school”, d. Urban minorities overwhelmingly agree that "it 1s more innportant’ to improve ithe QUALITY ‘of schools that minority children 0 to than it 1s to get racial balance in the schools". e. While urban minorities feel that more should be done to integrate the schools in their community and schools throughout the state, they are closely divided on the question of whether those efforts should be voluntary or mandated by the state. 4, Pr. Douglas Rindone (DOE Consultant) C/O State | Department ot Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 061006: Dr. Rindone is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an | expert witness. Instead he may provide testimony regarding the | development, implementation and analysis of the CMT and CMT | results. The specific analysis of CMT results which will be | described by this witness have been provided to the plaintiffs in | Exhibit 16(f) of defendants' response to. plaintiffs’ first | request for production, Exhibit 18(d) of defendants' response to | plaintiffs' second request for production, and Exhibit 10(c) of defendants' response to plaintiffs' third request for production. Dr. Rindone is also expected to note questions which have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the CMT in measuring the performance of students with limited English proficiency and how this problem might influence the overall CMT test results for a school district with high concentrations of LEP students. Dr. Rindone is also expected to note the variety of viewpoints in the education profession about the use and misuse of test results like the CMT results. He will also discuss the variety of viewpoints in the education profession regarding the use of testing as a measure of the quality of education being provided | to children. The various viewpoints which Dr. Rindone will note | will not necessarily be his own. Dr. Rindone is also expected to present comparisons between | Hartford and the 21 towns which have been identified as suburban | towns for the purpose of this case derived from data in the | possession of the state department of education. These comparisons are expected to include, but may not be limited to, the following areas; various socioeconomic indicators, student attendance, staff cost per pupil, professional staff per pupil, classroom teachers per pupil, support staff per pupil, teachers’ salaries, and gross CMT scores. Finally, Dr. Rindone will discuss and may present copies of school district profiles being developed by the Department of Education pursuant to the requirements of Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 10-220c. Die Dr. William .Congero (DOE = Consultant) c/o State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106: Dr. Congero is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert witness. Instead he may provide testimony regarding the | development, implementation and analysis of the CMT and CMT | results. The specific analysis of CMT results which will be described by this witness have been provided to the plaintiffs in Exhibit 16(f) of defendants’ response to plaintiffs’ first | request for production, Exhibit 18(d) of defendants' response to plaintiffs' second request for production, and Exhibit 10(c) of | defendants' response to plaintiffs' third request for production. Dr. Congero is also expected to note questions which have | been raised regarding the effectiveness of the CMT in measuring | the performance of students with limited English proficiency and how this problem might influence the overall CMT test results for a school district with high concentrations of LEP students. pr,’ | Ccngero is also expected to note the variety of viewpoints in the | education profession about the use and misuse of test rouilts like thie CMT results. He will also discuss the variety of | viewpoints in the education profession regarding the use of testing as a measure of the quality of education being provided to children. The various viewpoints which Dr. Congero will note will not necessarily be his own. 6. Dr. Peter Behuniak (DOE Consultant) c/o State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106: | i 1 | -11- | ! Dr. Behuniak is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert witness. Instead he may provide testimony regarding the development, implementation and analysis of the CMT and CMT results. The specific analysis of CMT results which will be described by this witness have been provided to the plaintiffs in Exhibit 16(f) of defendants! response. to plaintiffs’ ‘first request for production, Exhibit 18(d) of defendants’ response to plaintiffs' second request for production, and Exhibit 10(c) ‘of defendants’ response to plaintiffs’ third request for production. Dr. Behuniak is also expected to note questions which have | been raised regarding the effectiveness of the CMT in measuring | the performance of students with limited English proficiency and how this problem might influence the overall CMT test results for a school district with high concentrations of LEP students. Dr. Behuniak is also expected to note the variety of viewpoints 1n | the education profession about the use and misuse of test results | like the CMT results. He will also discuss the: variety of viewpoints in the education profession regarding the use of | testing as a measure of the quality of education being provided -12- { i { { { to children. The various viewpoints which Dr. Behuniak will note will not necessarily be his own. 7. Dr. Elliot Williams (DOE Consultant) c/o State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106: Dr. Williams is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert witness. Instead Dr. Williams will provide information regarding existing and planned programs promoting interdistrict cooperation and improving integration. Specifically Dr. Williams will describe and verify the accuracy of the information found in Exhibits 3(x-z) to the defendants' response to plaintiffs’ second request for production. 8. Dr. Robert Brewer (DOE Consultant) c/o State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106: Dr. Brewer is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert wltness. Instead . Dr.» Brewer will: offer testimony regarding state grants to local school districts generally and -13- the State's financial ‘contribution to the school districts 1in what the plaintiffs have described as the Hartford area in oi particular. Dr.. Brewer will attest to the accuracy of the intormation found in Exhibits 4(ee) and 7 of defendants' response toc plaintiffs' second request for production. I Dr. Brewer is also expected to attest to the accuracy of 1 data showing how Hartford's spending on ‘students in regular education compares with other districts in the state. 9. Dr. Peter Prowda (DOE Consultant) c/o State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106: Dr. Prowda is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an i expert witness. Instead Dr. Prowda will offer testimony | regarding the analysis of comparative rates of absenteeism provided to the plaintiffs as Exhibit 7(a) of the defendants’ response to plaintiffs' first request for production. -14- 1G, Dr. Theodore Sergi (DOE Consultant) C/O: State Department of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut Ool06: Dr. Sergi is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert witness. Instead Dr. Sergi will offer testimony regarding the background, implementation and effectiveness of the state's priority schooli district grant. program, Dr, Sergi's testimony will include an explanation of the analysis found in Exhibit 4(ff) of defendants' response to plaintiffs' second request for | production. 12. Dr. Thomas Breen (DOE Consultant) c/o State Department | of Education, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106. Dr. Breen is not expected to offer opinion testimony as an expert witness. Instead Dr. Breen will offer testimony regarding the racial and ethnic composition of schools and school districts | throughout the state. He is also expected to focus on the racial | and ethnic composition of the schools in Hartford and those towns | which plaintiffs have identified as "suburban" communities for | the purpose. of this suit. Among other things Dr. Breen 1s expected tc verify the accuracy of the information contained in Exhibits 4(a) and 18(a-x) of defendants' response to plaintiffs’ fourth request for production. He will also verify the accuracy of data used by some of defendants' expert witnesses to analyze and compare the racial and ethnic composition of the schools 1n Hartford and the "suburban" communities. 13. Mr. Lloyd Calvert (Expert Witness) c/o Office of the Attorney General, 110 Sherman Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06105: Mr. Calvert is the former Superintendent of Schools in West Hartford, Trumbull and Windsor and former Assistant | Superintendent of Schools in Hartford. He 1s now serving as | educational consultant to the Office of the Attorney General in | regard to the Sheff v., O'Neill case. Mr. Calvert's resume has | been provided to the plaintiffs as Exhibit 19(c) to defendants’ response to plaintiffs' fourth request for production. Mr. Calvert is expected to testify regarding the racial and ethnic composition of the Hartford public schools and certain trends regarding the racial and ethnic composition of the Hartford public schools in comparison to the 21 school districts which plaintiffs have chosen to designate as suburban school districts. Tables and data which Mr. Calvert will present rely on will be disclosed to the plaintiffs when they are in final form. Mr. Calvert will also testify regarding the state's efforts I! to address the needs of disadvantaged and urban children since the 1920's as evidenced in records of the State Board of Education and his own work and experience. Mr. Calvert is also expected to testify regarding his investigation of programs in the Hartford public schools including his observations regarding the way in which the programs offered by the Hartford public schools are designed to | meet the special needs of the population being served, special approaches being undertaken in the Hartford public schools, and -17- the attitudes and concerns of those who are serving children in the Hartford public schools. He 1s also expected to describe his involvement in and observation of 1interdistrict initiatives in the Hartford area. Finally Mr. Calvert will discuss some of the practical problems which would be faced if an attempt were made to reassign pupils to different schools in the Hartford area based upon their race, national origin, socioeconomic status, or "at risk" status. His testimony will be based, in part, on his examination of current enrollment in the Hartford public schools and other schools in the area. Mr. Calvert's work and study in the above noted areas has nct been ccmpleted at this time. 14. Dr, Thomas E. Steahr, (Expert witness) c/0 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, Box | U-22, Room 318, 1376 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4021, -18- Dr. Steahr is presently serving as a full professor in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics of the University of Connecticut. Further details regarding his background and experience can be found in Exhibit 19(e) to the defendant's response to plaintiffs’ fourth request for production. Dr. Steahr is expected to offer testimony regarding demographic patterns and trends in Connecticut generally and in the area which the plaintiffs have defined as the suburban Hartford area in particular. His testimony is expected to focus on the following facts and opinions: 1. Based upon an analysis of census data, vital statistics, and State Department of Education records regarding the racial and ethnic composition of public schools in the Hartford area, it appears that the general population and the K-12 pupil populations of that area which has been defined by the plaintiffs as "suburban Hartford" are becoming more diverse; l1.e., individuals from traditionally recognized minority groups are -19- locating and attending school in the suburban towns at an 1nCreasing rate. = The steady increase in the growth of the minority population in the towns which have been identified as suburbs of Hartford ‘runs counter. to the notion that people from these minority groups are "trapped" in Hartford because of their race or national origin. 3. There has been a significant change in the composition of the "minority" population in Hartford. The evidence suggests a net out migration of African Americans and a significant increase in the Hispanic or Latino population. 4, Concentrations of people of similar ethnic backgrounds in particular areas or towns is a natural phenomena which can and does occur without government promotion or sponsorship. Bie The concentration of African American and Hispanic or Latino citizens in Hartford and other urban areas of the state which is present today was not clearly foreseeable in the early -20- 1500s given the limited information which was available at that time and the uncertainties of making these kinds of predictions even under the best of circumstances. The testimony and opinions which Dr, Steahr is expected to of fer will be grounded on his many years of study and research in the area. of demographics “and particularly his study of demographic patterns in the State of Connecticut. He will also rely on his analysis of census bureau data, data regarding vital statistics maintained by the State Department of Health Services | | and data obtained from the State Department of Education regarding the racial and ethnic composition of schools in the Hartford area. Tables and charts which Dr, Steahr is preparing will be provided to the plaintiffs when they are in final form. lo. Patricia Downs, Connecticut Department of Housing, 505 | | Hudson Street, Hartford, CT. Ms. Downs is the Director of Policy and Planning for the Department of Housing. -21- Ms. Downs is not expected to offer opinion testimony. Rather, she will provide testimony regarding the mechanism for State funding of housing for low and moderate income families, including selection criteria. She is also expected to testify as to current and future plans and policies of the State of Connecticut with respect to housing for low and moderate income families. FOR THE DEFENDANTS RICHARD BLUMENTHAL wy. VW . V/A - TTS 085112 S Ee Attorney General 0 Sherman Street Hartford, Connecticut 06105 Tel: 566-7173 CERTIFICATION This is to certify that a copy of the foregoing was mailed postage prepaid to the following counsel of record on pit Mew 15, 1992: John Brittain, Esq. University of Connecticut School of Law 65 Elizabeth Street Hartford, CT 06105 Wilfred Rodriguez, Esq Hispanic Advocacy Project Neighborhood Legal Services 1229 Albany Aveznue Hartford, CT: 06112 Philip Tegeler, Esq. Martha Stone, Esq. Connecticut Civil Liberties Union 32 Grand Street Hartford, CT 06106 Wesley W. Horton, Esq. Mollier, Horton & Fineberg, P.C. 90 Gillett Street Hartford, CT 06105 Ruben Franco, Esq. Jenny Rivera, Esq. Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund 99 Hudson Street l4th Floor New York, NY 10013 Julius L. Chambers, Esq Marianne Lado, Esq. Ronald Ellis, Esq. NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Educational Fund, Inc. 99 Hudson Street New York, NY 10013 John A. Powell, Esq. Helen Hershkoff, Esq. Adam S. Cohen, Esq. American Civil Liberties Union 132 West 43rd Street ork, RY 10036 Ap ed, Johh R. Whelan Asgistant Attorney General -24-—