State Board member briefs Stratford board on proposed education bills affecting special education, licensing and civics seal

Kristen Recker, a member of the Connecticut State Board of Education, briefed the Stratford Board on the Department of Education's legislative package and how several proposed bills could affect district budgeting, certification and student recognition.

Recker emphasized changes that would affect special-education funding for students placed outside their home district. "Reasonable costs are actual costs," she said, summarizing the State Board's May 2024 declaratory ruling and explaining that the proposed bills would align statute with that ruling. The package includes two related proposals intended to clarify funding responsibility for special-education costs when students attend interdistrict magnet schools or participate in the Open Choice program.

One bill Recker highlighted would require approved private special-education providers to publish base tuition and service costs for the following school year by Dec. 31 of the current school year, which the presenter said would help local education agencies (LEAs) plan budgets earlier.

Other notable items in the package Recker described:

- A change to remove the mandated reading-instruction survey requirement for some educators because the content is now embedded in educator preparation programs. - Revisions to Connecticut's teacher education mentoring (TEAM) program language to align with the phase-out of the provisional certificate by July 1, 2025. - A proposal to establish a Connecticut State Seal of Civic Education and Engagement that could be affixed to diplomas; the proposed criteria would include completing civics coursework and participating in civic engagement projects or portfolios.

Recker urged board members to track bills as they receive numbers and are assigned to committees, noting the long legislative session will include many budget and policy items. She said the legislative session begins June 8 and added the State Board and Department will continue to monitor and testify as bills move through committee.

Ending

Recker offered to return with updates as the session progresses and suggested Stratford stakeholders testify or contact legislators on items of interest; board members asked to add a standing monthly State Board update to future agendas.