Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Education Committee
                           JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
     Bill No.: SB-226
                AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
         Title: OF EDUCATION.
  Vote Date: 3/11/2022
 Vote Action: Joint Favorable
    PH Date: 3/4/2022
     File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Education Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill extends the professional educator certificate from five to ten years. It also extends
the deadline by which the Department of Education must create a K-8 model curriculum by
one year to ensure that the Department develops a state curriculum that allows for persons
and organizations with subject matter expertise to develop the curriculum entirely. The bill
also authorizes the Commissioner of Education to temporarily waive or modify the school
breakfast grant program requirements.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Charlene Russell-Tucker, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Education
We would like to thank the Chairs for raising this bill containing the Department's legislative
recommendations for the session. The first 3 sections pertain to certification to extend from 5
years to 10 and facilitate a smoother renewal cycle for educator certification. Sections 4 and
5 extend the deadline by which the Department must create a K-8 model curriculum.
Because the curricula development is a multi-step process that requires stakeholder
feedback, the Department requests an extension of the January 1, 2023 deadline to January
2, 2024. This will ensure that the Department develops a statewide curriculum that will be a
model for the state and the nation. Sections 6 and 7 address a school's participation in the
National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. As a consequence of the USDA
shifting to the summer food service program model of meal program implementation in order
to serve free meals to all students regardless of eligibility, schools would be ineligible to
receive these grant funds without these two changes.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Bruce Adams, President & CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut
As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time
for people to possess at least basic financial literacy, and states, such as Connecticut, do not
require coursework in personal finance. Not only does this ill-prepare our youth for productive
adulthood, but also leaves lingering social inequities and abide the widening rich-poor gap.
Amy Dowell, State Director, Education Reform Now CT
We applaud the State Department of Education for its efforts to make it easier to become an
educator in Connecticut. Teaching was a difficult job even before the pandemic hit, and
educators have shown incredible commitment to the state's students.
Andrew A. Feinstein, Legislative Chair, Special Education Equity for Kids in
Connecticut
S.B. 226 liberalizes the teacher certification requirements to alleviate the staffing shortage
facing the state. Though there are some short-term remedies implemented by the
Department of Education, this committee has developed some long-term solutions that were
created to make school staff be reflective of the students. We commend the consideration of
the creation of an ROTC-type program, where the state would seek out successful high
school students and pay their way through college and teacher certification, in exchange for a
multi-year service commitment.
Subira Gordon, Executive Director, ConnCAN
We believe that this bill provides effective positions to build sustainability and flexibility
coming out of a pandemic. We support the provision that extends the professional teacher
certification period that reduces the cost for educators, while also assisting those who wish to
rejoin the profession after a hiatus. ConnCAN also supports the added reissuance for initial
and provisional certificate holders, which will increase the pool of eligible candidates and
assist with the teaching shortage.
Michele O'Neill, Education Issues Specialist, CT Education Association
We are in favor of extending the professional educator certification period because it will
lessen paperwork on both the Department of Education and the teachers holding these
certificates. We are also in favor of the reissuance of those who have not served under their
certificate. Connecticut has roughly 600 people of color who possess certification but are not
currently teaching. We suggest that they should provide the same flexibility to teachers who
successfully taught under the initial certification, but left the field, no matter the circumstance.
Chris Wilson, Executive Member, CT Association of Boards of Education
CABE supports the continued flexibility of getting meals out to students. The Department of
Education, along with districts, were very effective in getting meals to as many students as
possible during the pandemic. We also support an extension to develop a model curriculum,
which would be a valuable tool if it is developed thoughtfully and thoroughly. However, we
urge you to balance new requirements with Department resources, as the Department are
still helping districts navigate the pandemic, with guidance from the CDC.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
                                                                              Page 2 of 3 SB-226
None Expressed
We received additional testimony regarding this bill.
 Reported by: Jessica Bucci                             Date: 3/16/2022
                                                                      Page 3 of 3 SB-226
Statutes affected: 
Raised Bill: 10-266w, 10-215b
ED Joint Favorable: 10-266w, 10-215b
File No. 161: 10-266w, 10-215b
Public Act No. 22-38: 10-266w, 10-215b