Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5356
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS.
Vote Date: 3/10/2020
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/5/2020
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:
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill creates a task force to study the feasibility of establishing a pathways in technology
early college high school program in alliance with districts that would enroll students from
surrounding towns. The intent is to support the needs of Connecticut's workforce for high-
skilled workers.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Mark Ojakian, President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities: President Ojakian
writes that students who participate in early college programs are significantly more likely to
graduate from high school, more likely to enroll in college, and more likely to complete a
college degree. He notes that Connecticut has relatively few early college options. He
believes that certain types of youth and young adults would benefit from a scaled early
college or dual enrollment program in Connecticut. He adds that a scaled and coordinated
early college or dual enrollment program focused on underrepresented students would
provide the most conducive environment for student engagement and connection.
Timothy Larson, Executive Director, Office of Higher Education: Director Larson writes
that the Office of Higher Education believes HB 5356 is unwarranted at current because
Governor Lamont's Executive Order 4 launched the Governor's Workforce Council (GWC) to
study and plan for the state's workforce needs. He states that the responsibility of the GWC
both overlaps with and is broader than the proposed task force in this bill.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Steven Hernandez, Executive Director, Commission on Women, Children, Seniors,
Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO): Mr. Hernandez submitted testimony in support of the
bill on behalf of CWCSEO. They believe this bill will promote workforce readiness for public
school students, protect civil rights through the establishment of a common framework among
higher education institutions, and will be in the best interest of Connecticut's students
because it provides them with a structure to establish healthy, sustainable, and fruitful post-
secondary education career pathways.
Susan Johnson, State Representative, 49th Connecticut General Assembly District:
Representative Johnson submitted testimony in support of the bill. She writes that the ECO
program in the Town of Windham school district has the capacity to contribute to the state's
need to fill manufacturing positions. She believes expanding the ECO program to regions
surrounding the alliance district high schools will help to meet the needs of our advanced
manufacturing industries in Connecticut that are facing the retirement of many employees.
Shannon Marimon, Executive Director, ReadyCT: Ms. Marimon submitted testimony in
support of the bill. She believes this bill will create a stronger link between K-12 education
and preparation for the world of work thus justly educating Connecticut's students and
enabling the state to complete economically with other states and countries. She cites the
success of similar pathways in technology early college models that have been established in
the municipalities of Norwalk, New London, Windham, Danbury, and Stamford. She also cites
a study that suggests that a high-quality and specialized technical education in high school
can positively impact the lives of male student who might otherwise be disengaged in school.
Carissa Rutkauskas, Outreach and Evaluation Specialist, University of Connecticut
Early College Experience Program: Ms. Rutkauskas submitted testimony in support of the
bill. She writes that her program seeks to join the task force to be established under the bill
due to UConn's deep roots in Connecticut high schools and their expertise in enhancing high
school instructor and student opportunities. She opines that student success starts with a
robust investment in high school instructors. She further writes that UConn seeks to join the
task force to increase college high school programming in alliance school districts.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Justin Boutin, Assistant Clerk Date: March 11, 2020
Page 2 of 2 HB-5356