Legislators are back in Hartford today, and Governor Ned Lamont kicked off the 2025 legislative session, which runs until June 4, with his State of the State Address before the joint chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Among the education initiatives the governor highlighted during his 30-minute speech are encouraging more men to choose a career in teaching and expanding an apprenticeship program that allows third-year education students to receive pay to assist in a classroom.
“We must make it less expensive to become a teacher and get young teacher aids in the classroom,” Lamont said.
“Governor Lamont has acknowledged the need to address the educator shortage crisis facing our state,” says CEA President Kate Dias. “We commend his efforts to expand the paid mentorship program for aspiring educators and continue diversifying the teaching workforce by bringing more men into the profession. These initiatives must be paired with broader investments in competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and adequate resources to not only recruit new teachers but also stop the exodus of talented educators from our profession. When classrooms are understaffed, students are underserved.”
In his remarks the governor recognized teachers’ efforts saying, “We keep asking our teachers to do more and more,” he said. “Thank a teacher and ask how you can help out at home.”
Dias said, “While we join the governor in urging everyone to thank teachers for all they do, gratitude must be accompanied by action.”
The legislature’s Education Committee has a new co-chair this year after Rep. Jeff Currey decided not to seek reelection. Rep. Jennifer Leeper will join Senator Douglas McCrory to co-chair the committee.
The Education Committee will take up many bills this session, and members plan to consider new methods of funding special education based on the recommendations of a state-wide Special Education Task Force on which CEA Secretary Tara Flaherty and Treasurer Stephanie Wanzer served.
“For too long, we have experienced increasing caseloads of special education students and a persistent shortage of special education teachers,” Dias says. “CEA has long advocated for increased state support to help districts, especially in urban areas, manage the growing workload and costs associated with providing quality services for students with special needs.”
CEA’s Legislative Proposals
This legislative session CEA will continue our push for policy changes that uplift educators and grow the teaching profession. These include measures that address the heart of Connecticut’s teacher shortage: a need for more competitive salaries, better working conditions, respect for the profession, and resources in and outside the classroom that allow educators to serve their students effectively.
Check out the full list of CEA’s Legislative Priorities.
“We will be a strong presence at the State Capitol this session, helping our members engage with their elected officials, tell their stories, and testify in support of education-friendly bills,” Dias says. “Together we will make these priorities a reality.”
As the session gets underway, the legislature’s Education, Finance, Children’s, and Appropriations committees and others will discuss various proposals of interest to educators. Public hearings will take place throughout February and March.
Dias urges CEA members to share their stories directly with legislators during these hearings.
“Without teachers voicing loud and clear support for their goals, lawmakers may not give them the priority they deserve. Legislators take notice of who comes to the Capitol to speak with them, and they pay attention to issues that their constituents call, email, and write about.”
One of the first opportunities for CEA members to get involved with the legislative process this session comes Saturday, February 8, when CEA will be hosting our annual Breakfast with Legislators at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Register to join us.
“We look forward to working with Governor Lamont and our elected officials to elevate education this legislative session,” Dias says. “By increasing special education funding, ensuring competitive salaries for teachers, and putting real resources where our priorities are, we can address the most pressing challenges and ensure our public education system delivers for all of our students.”
