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01/13/2025

Connecticut's New Certification Board Begins Work to Strengthen Educator Preparation and Certification

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)  is pleased to announce that the newly established Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board (Certification Board) is officially in place and has begun its critical work developing standards and recommendations for educator preparation and certification policies that reflect the evolving needs of the profession and are firmly grounded in evidence-based practices.

Created by Public Act 24-41, the Certification Board convened for the first time on Monday, November 18, 2024, held its second meeting on December 9, 2024, and met for a third time on January 13, 2025.

The Certification Board is composed of 16 dedicated members representing a broad range of expertise, including representatives from the Connecticut Education Association, AFT Connecticut, Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council, Connecticut Association of Schools, Office of Higher Education, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, Connecticut Federation of School Administrators, Increasing Educator Policy Oversight Council, Office of Early Childhood, Connecticut Business and Industry Association by ReadyCT, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Connecticut Chapter of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Connecticut Technical Education and Career System; and CSDE.

The Certification Board was born out of the Connecticut Educator Certification Council, which was convened by Commissioner Russell-Tucker in 2023 and was comprised of diverse stakeholders, to address outdated certification legislation and recommend strategies for increasing both the quantity and diversity of qualified teachers in the state.

"We are excited to see the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board officially in place and beginning its important work," said Commissioner Russell-Tucker. "This marks a significant step forward in modernizing Connecticut's educator certification process, a vital effort that has been long overdue. As we move forward, it is crucial to acknowledge that updates to this process have not been made since 1998 and will require careful thought and collaboration. By incorporating the expertise of current educators, and those involved in preparing and hiring our future educators, we can build a stronger, more diverse workforce that will serve all of Connecticut's students and help them reach their fullest potential."

“The Certification Board will promote continual improvement in teaching and learning,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, elected Chair of the Certification Board and representing CEA. “We will work to simplify educator certification regulations and promote high-quality learning opportunities for our aspiring and current educators. By enhancing equity, accountability, and transparency in educator preparation and certification, we aim to attract, retain, and empower a diverse and effective workforce to meet all students’ needs."

The Certification Board is authorized to create proposals for both legislation and regulation in partnership with the State Board of Education (SBE), which are submitted to the General Assembly for legislative action or to the appropriate regulatory body for implementation.

For more information, including a full list of members, meeting schedules and notes, visit https://portal.ct.gov/sde/connecticut-educator-preparation-and-certification-board 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Matthew Cerrone
CONNECTICUT Education
matthew.cerrone@ct.gov

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