FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: January 25, 2024 CONTACT: Amy Dowell, Amy@edreformnow.org
Jan. 25, 2024 — Today, a group of educators, researchers, advocacy leaders, and non-partisan legislative staff launched a coalition—New Teacher Track—which seeks to modernize educator preparation and certification in Connecticut, so that the state can increase the efficacy and diversity of its teaching workforce. In the 2022-2023 school year, there were over 1,200 teaching vacancies across Connecticut. Nearly three quarters of openings were in the state’s 36 Alliance Districts, which educate a majority of the state’s underserved students.
The Coalition identifies three high-level barriers in Connecticut’s systems of educator preparation and certification:
Teacher preparation is expensive, and it too often leaves teachers feeling like they are not classroom ready.
Teacher certification is made up of arbitrary tiers that keep many candidates of color out, and that are mis-aligned with modern-day workforce needs.
Connecticut lacks a transparent data and accountability system that would allow it to monitor the teaching workforce and make data-driven decisions.
“The urgency of this moment demands a comprehensive solution because we are off track,” said Education Committee Co-Chair Representative Jeff Currey. “Every Connecticut student—especially underserved students—must have access to highly effective and diverse teachers.”
“We are excited that this coalition is banding together to raise awareness about these barriers in our state and to seek solutions,” said Education Committee Co-Chair Senator Doug McCrory.
“We also give enormous credit to the Connecticut State Department of Education for building the Connecticut Educator Certification Council to begin to seek out policy solutions,” added Executive Director of Education Reform Now CT Amy Dowell. “Many students are in crisis right now, and we need all hands on deck.”
“New Teacher Track is working to build consensus and address the long-standing problems impacting Connecticut’s teacher pipeline,” explained Executive Director of the School and State Finance Project Lisa Hammersley. “Every student deserves access to effective, prepared, and culturally-responsive teachers, but our state needs systems in place to make that a reality.”
“Districts are full of paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and support staff who could make wonderful teachers, but are deterred by the harsh and costly process of becoming certified teachers,” said Executive Director of Educators for Excellence CT Daniel Pearson. “A modern certification system will make the teaching profession more accessible.”
“Teach For America has worked to bring a diverse group of talented leaders to Connecticut classrooms for almost 20 years. But we know we can’t do this work alone," said Dr. Dolores Garcia-Blocker, Executive Director of Teach For America Connecticut. "The New Teacher Track coalition is a powerful partnership that will help usher in a new chapter of change around certification so that great educators can continue to create impact in our classrooms.”
“The state also suffers from a dire shortage of special education teachers,” noted Andrew Feinstein, Legislative Chair of Special Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut. “Students with disabilities have a clear right to free, appropriate public education—and that absolutely includes having properly trained educators for them."
"Imagine being a child sitting in a Connecticut classroom today. How would it feel to have a teacher who comes from a similar cultural background as you, where you feel heard, understood and valued?” asked Interim Executive Director of ConnCAN Hamish MacPhail. “Let’s ensure a caring, connected adult is available in every single classroom.”
Learn more about the coalition at NewTeacherTrack.org.
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About New Teacher Track:
New Teacher Track is a coalition of educators, researchers, advocacy leaders,
and non-partisan legislative staff who are partnering to advance meaningful
policy change, with the goal of modernizing educator preparation and certification in Connecticut to increase the efficacy and diversity of Connecticut’s teaching workforce.
Visit NewTeacherTrack.org.