(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont is applauding the Connecticut State Senate for unanimously voting to approve legislation he proposed alongside a number of state legislators that aims to recruit more teachers of color into classrooms throughout Connecticut. The bill addresses roadblocks that keep educators of color out of the classroom, such as reciprocity agreements with other states.
Over 40 percent of Connecticut’s student population are people of color, however only 8.7 percent of the state’s public school teachers are people of color.
“Numerous studies have shown that students of color do better when they have educators of color in the classroom, however our state has overwhelming disparities and should be doing more to ensure diversity in our schools,” Governor Lamont said. “Our bill was designed to continue the important conversation on recruiting more teachers of color, and tackle the issue through a variety of ways. Enacting these improvements will be a direct investment in the classroom and in student success. All students should have access to positive teaching and learning experiences so they can be prepared for the global workforce that awaits them. I want to thank the entire Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force and the co-chairs of the Education Committee for their continued commitment to making sure we are doing everything we can in this state to both recruit and retain minority teachers. I urge the House to act on this pending legislation so that I can sign it into law.”
The legislation is Senate Bill 1022, An Act Concerning Minority Teacher Recruitment and Retention. It next must be approved in the House of Representatives before it can be transmitted to the governor for his signature and enacted into law.