NEWS RELEASES

CEA President Kate Dias Announces Historic Bid for NEA Presidency

Today marks a pivotal moment in education leadership as Connecticut Education Association President Kate Dias officially announced her intention to run for president of the National Education Association.

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Passage of Trump’s Budget Bill

America deserves better than this bill, which represents an unconscionable stripping away of benefits from those who are most in need to provide tax cuts for wealthy corporations. 

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on the 2025 Legislative Session

While this legislative session made progress on student-centered priorities including universal preschool, resources for special education services, and school funding, CEA is deeply disappointed that critical bills to support and protect educators were blocked without a vote.

Newington Educator Receives Prestigious CEA Award for Teaching Excellence

Newington teacher Jennifer Rodriguez was presented with the Connecticut Education Association’s highest teaching award, the John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence. The first-grade teacher at Anna Reynolds Elementary School received the award before 400 of her colleagues at the 177th annual CEA Representative Assembly, held at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center this past weekend.

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol

Today and every day, teachers and support staff work with students who have a wide variety of needs, ensuring caring, nurturing, and welcoming environments where all students are safe, accepted, and valued and can reach their potential.

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Attorney General Tong’s Lawsuit Against Unlawful Actions to Withhold Federal Education Funding

The education community applauds Attorney General William Tong for taking action to protect Connecticut from the federal government’s efforts to withhold more than $320 million in critical education funding. The…

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Trump Administration Cutting Half of the U.S. Department of Education Employees

The decision by the Trump administration to gut half of the U.S. Department of Education’s workforce is nothing short of a direct attack on America’s students, educators, and the future of public education itself and will have dire effects, especially for our most vulnerable students.

Thousands Across the State Rally in Red for Education for CEA’s Champions for Public Education Day of Action

“Support Our Schools.” That was the unified message from hundreds of educators, students, parents, lawmakers, and community members across the state who wore red today in a powerful show of solidarity for state and federal funding for public schools.

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Governor Lamont’s Plan to Veto Special Education Funding Bill

We are deeply disappointed that Governor Lamont announced he plans to veto $40 million in critical special education funding—funding that our most vulnerable students cannot afford to wait for. This…

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on Linda McMahon’s Confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Education

We urge Secretary McMahon to fully embrace the gravity of her role and to approach the responsibilities of this critical position with an unwavering dedication to serving all students and strengthening public education.

Teachers and Community Come Together to Inspire Young Readers

The Connecticut Education Foundation’s second annual Read Across Connecticut Blue Back Book Drive collected thousands of books for students in need.

Statement from CEA President Kate Dias on the Legislature Approving Special Education Funding

We commend the legislature for responding to the urgent concerns raised by teachers, parents, and advocates regarding the crisis in special education funding by approving an additional $40 million for…

CEF Kicks-Off Annual Read Across Connecticut Celebration

Public schools across the state will participate in effort to promote literacy and a love of reading The Connecticut Education Foundation (CEF) kicked off its annual Read Across Connecticut weeklong…

Federal School Funding Cuts Will Hurt Students

Teachers, parents, lawmakers, and community members share stories of lost opportunities, jeopardized futures, and real, devastating impact of lost funding Total Federal School Funding by District Ongoing assaults on federal…