Every two years during election season CEA issues a Legislator Report Card, but this year, for the first time, CEA is issuing an annual report card grading legislators on issues that matter to teachers.
While members of Connecticut’s General Assembly are not up for election this fall, CEA is still paying attention to legislators’ voting records as well as their advocacy and efforts to advance CEA priorities. These priorities include preserving collective bargaining, enhancing the teaching profession, protecting pensions, and supporting sound education policy that enhances public education.
CEA’s Legislator Report Card examines how legislators voted in 2023 on bills addressing a number of key issues such as play based learning, earlier kindergarten start date, elimination of teacher evaluation ratings, increases to ECS funding, improved indoor air quality, and much more.
The Legislator Report Card also takes into account senators’ and representatives’ advocacy, action, and responsiveness on education issues.
- Did they propose or co-sponsor bills that are helpful to educators and their students?
- Did they advance education-friendly bills among their fellow lawmakers in caucuses and committees?
- Have they participated in back-home meetings with CEA members, attended CEA County Forums, and engaged with educators in other ways to better understand the realities of the school environment and the teaching profession?
“Most legislators say they support public education, but it’s important to really dig into what they’ve done—or not done, how they’ve voted, and whether their actions match their message,” CEA President Kate Dias explains. “That’s what CEA’s Report Card does. The report cards showcase who’s a true ally in the fight for quality public education and whose campaign promises have fallen short.”
Click here to view an example of what your legislator is receiving today outlining their score, key indicators, and how they can improve their score.
