We are pleased that one of Governor Ned Lamont’s first budget recommendations for fiscal year 2025 is the elimination of the initial teacher licensure application fee, which costs our state’s aspiring educators roughly $1 million each year.
CEA has been working hard to eliminate unnecessary barriers for students and others hoping to enter our profession, and cost is one of the most significant of these.
Along with tuition and steep exam costs associated with teacher preparation, aspiring educators are also assessed a $200 application fee for their initial teaching certificate. Every Connecticut public school teacher is also expected to complete a master’s degree, only to earn significantly less than other professionals with similar levels of education and responsibility.
Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction if we’re going to address the persistent teacher shortage confronting our state. We applaud the governor’s recommendation and look forward to working with our legislators on other efforts to support, expand, and diversify our profession.
