Month: July 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. NEEDLEMAN AN A GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 25, 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. NEEDLEMAN AN A GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Education Association, a state teacher’s union representing more than 43,000 active, retired and aspiring educators, has just released its report card for the 2024 legislative session, and state Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) achieved a 92% score, confirming his outstanding commitment to the public policies and budget dollars that make Connecticut teachers and their public school students successful all across the state.

“Our schools represent the future of Connecticut and we need to continue providing them with the support necessary to benefit our children and future,” said Sen. Needleman. “I’m proud to have voted for policies helping students and staff foster better environments to learn and grow every day.”

Detailed results of the report card can be found here: https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/?wdt_search=senate

This is the sixth CEA report card for Sen. Needleman, who has a lifetime score of 90% for voting for the types of pro-public education policies that have made Connecticut’s public school system the second-best in America, according to a WalletHub survey out this week. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

In past years, the CEA has graded legislators on their support for public education policies such as Cultural Responsiveness, School Counselors, Black and Latino Studies, Minority Teacher Recruitment, Student Mental & Behavioral Health, Protecting Teachers’ Personal Information, Standardized Assessment & Special Education, and Safe Classrooms.

This year, the CEA graded legislators for their votes on:

  • House Bill 5436, teacher certification and mandated reporters, for supporting important changes to teacher certification, improvements to mandated reporter procedures, changes to the assessment for teacher preparatory programs, and supports for paraeducators.
  • House Bill 5437, Professional Development & School Climate, for supporting and updating professional development requirements and improving school culture and climate.
  • Senate Bill 154, Behavior Notification & Assessment Audit, for supporting better student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.
  • House Bill 5524 and Senate Bill 5, School Indoor Air Quality, for supporting and expanding Connecticut’s school Indoor Air Quality grant program.
  • Senate Bill 14, Goodwin Magnet Teacher Rights, for ensuring teacher rights are maintained at Goodwin University Magnet School.
  • House Bill 5523, the 2024 Budget Implementer, for supporting a budget implementer that included $550,000 to the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and adding CEA to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.

Sen. Needleman has also worked to secure mental health support funding for local students and roughly $4 million in HVAC and air quality improvements for East Haddam, Old Saybrook, Colchester and Westbrook schools, further reinforcing his support for education locally and statewide.

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CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. ANWAR AN A GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Posted on by Devin James

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 25, 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. ANWAR AN A GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Education Association, a state teacher’s union representing more than 43,000 active, retired and aspiring educators, has just released its report card for the 2024 legislative session, and state Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) achieved a score of 93%, earning an A grade and confirming his outstanding commitment to the public policies and budget dollars that make Connecticut teachers and their public school students successful all across the state.

“Connecticut schools are some of the strongest in the country, but they need continued focus and support to bolster youth education,” said Sen. Anwar. “I am proud to receive these high marks as they reinforce our need to meet students’ needs.”

Detailed results of the report card can be found here: https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/?wdt_search=senate

This is the sixth CEA report card for Sen. Anwar, who has a lifetime average score in the mid-90s, straight As, for voting for the types of pro-public education policies that have made Connecticut’s public school system the second-best in America, according to a WalletHub survey out this week. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

In past years, the CEA has graded legislators on their support for public education policies such as Cultural Responsiveness, School Counselors, Black and Latino Studies, Minority Teacher Recruitment, Student Mental & Behavioral Health, Protecting Teachers’ Personal Information, Standardized Assessment & Special Education, and Safe Classrooms.

This year, the CEA graded legislators for their votes on:

  • House Bill 5436, teacher certification and mandated reporters, for supporting important changes to teacher certification, improvements to mandated reporter procedures, changes to the assessment for teacher preparatory programs, and supports for paraeducators.
  • House Bill 5437, Professional Development & School Climate, for supporting and updating professional development requirements and improving school culture and climate.
  • Senate Bill 154, Behavior Notification & Assessment Audit, for supporting better student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.
  • House Bill 5524 and Senate Bill 5, School Indoor Air Quality, for supporting and expanding Connecticut’s school Indoor Air Quality grant program.
  • Senate Bill 14, Goodwin Magnet Teacher Rights, for ensuring teacher rights are maintained at Goodwin University Magnet School.
  • House Bill 5523, the 2024 Budget Implementer, for supporting a budget implementer that included $550,000 to the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and adding CEA to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.
Sen. Anwar was able to secure more than $700,000 in HVAC air quality improvement funding for schools in East Hartford, furthering the success of these endeavors.
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CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. MARX AN A GRADE AND ‘HONOR ROLL’ DESIGNATION FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 25, 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. MARX AN A GRADE AND ‘HONOR ROLL’ DESIGNATION FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Education Association, a state teacher’s union representing more than 43,000 active, retired and aspiring educators, has just released its report card for the 2024 legislative session, and state Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) achieved an A grade, confirming her outstanding commitment to the public policies and budget dollars that make Connecticut teachers and their public school students successful all across the state. Receiving a score of 90.5% for the legislative session, Sen. Marx was named to the CEA’s 2024 Honor Roll.

“Schools in our state are among the best in the country because we focus on and invest in them,” said Sen. Marx. “This feedback reinforces a continued need for Connecticut to keep our progress moving forward for the benefit of students in every community.”

Detailed results of the report card can be found here: https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/?wdt_search=senate

This is the second CEA report card for Sen. Marx, who has a lifetime score of 92.3% for voting for the types of pro-public education policies that have made Connecticut’s public school system the second-best in America, according to a WalletHub survey out this week. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

In past years, the CEA has graded legislators on their support for public education policies such as Cultural Responsiveness, School Counselors, Black and Latino Studies, Minority Teacher Recruitment, Student Mental & Behavioral Health, Protecting Teachers’ Personal Information, Standardized Assessment & Special Education, and Safe Classrooms.

This year, the CEA graded legislators for their votes on:

  • House Bill 5436, teacher certification and mandated reporters, for supporting important changes to teacher certification, improvements to mandated reporter procedures, changes to the assessment for teacher preparatory programs, and supports for paraeducators.
  • House Bill 5437, Professional Development & School Climate, for supporting and updating professional development requirements and improving school culture and climate.
  • Senate Bill 154, Behavior Notification & Assessment Audit, for supporting better student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.
  • House Bill 5524 and Senate Bill 5, School Indoor Air Quality, for supporting and expanding Connecticut’s school Indoor Air Quality grant program.
  • Senate Bill 14, Goodwin Magnet Teacher Rights, for ensuring teacher rights are maintained at Goodwin University Magnet School.
  • House Bill 5523, the 2024 Budget Implementer, for supporting a budget implementer that included $550,000 to the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and adding CEA to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.
In 2024, Sen. Marx has also played an important role in securing local education funding, including $2 million to support early childhood education in New London, hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair funding for New London and Waterford and more than $100,000 in mental health support programming grants for Waterford students. These accomplishments further her goals of supporting education in Connecticut.
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Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Senator Rahman Makes the ‘Honor Roll’ for Education Votes

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Rahman Makes the ‘Honor Roll’ for Education Votes

In an annual legislative report card released this week, the Connecticut Education Association awarded Sen. MD Rahman, with an “Honor Roll” grade of 91 in recognition of his consistent support for Connecticut students and teachers through votes in the General Assembly.

The report card tracks the voting record of every state legislator and grades them based on their support for bills that improve the learning and teaching conditions in Connecticut schools and their opposition to measures that would hinder educational progress or harm the interests of students and educators.

After reviewing Senator Rahman’s votes during this year’s legislative session, the group awarded him high marks.

“I have worked hard to support legislation that improves the learning conditions of students throughout our state and I am grateful to the Connecticut Education Association for acknowledging the progress we’ve made,” Senator Rahman said. “The future of our communities rests on the quality of the education our children receive and I am committed to safe and supportive schools.”

This year’s grade reflected Senator Rahman’s support for a number of proposals, including:

  • House Bill 5436: a bill that made key changes in teacher certification, improved mandated reporter procedures, and provided support for paraeducators.

  • House Bill 5437: a bill to review and update professional development requirements and support efforts to improve school culture and climate.

  • Senate Bill 154: a bill that enhanced student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.

  • House Bill 5524: a bill that expanded the Indoor Air Quality Grant Program.

  • Senate Bill 5: a bill that supported the extension of the state Indoor Air Quality Working Group.

  • Senate Bill 14: a bill that ensured teacher rights at Goodwin University Magnet School were protected.

  • House Bill 5523: a bill that implemented the budget, which included $550,000 for the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and added the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.

This year marked Senator Rahman’s second session serving in the Connecticut Senate. It is his second consecutive year on the CEA “honor roll,” following his 94% grade last year.

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

Senator Hochadel Receives Top Marks on Education Report Card

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Receives Top Marks on Education Report Card

In an annual legislative report card released this week, the Connecticut Education Association awarded Sen. Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, a 97 — the highest score in the state Senate — in recognition of her consistent support for Connecticut students and teachers through votes in the General Assembly.

The report card tracks the voting record of every state legislator and grades them based on their support for bills that improve the learning and teaching conditions in Connecticut schools and their opposition to measures that would hinder educational progress or harm the interests of students and educators.

After reviewing Senator Hochadel’s votes during this year’s legislative session, the group awarded her a nearly perfect score.

“The most important thing our state can do is ensure that our education system has the support and resources to prepare every child in Connecticut for a successful future,” Senator Hochadel said. “This means investing in our schools, empowering our teachers, and providing opportunities for all students to excel. These priorities have guided my work since taking office, and I’m honored that the CEA has recognized these efforts with this year’s report card.”

This year’s grade reflected Senator Hochadel’s support for a number of proposals, including:

  • House Bill 5436: a bill that made key changes in teacher certification, improved mandated reporter procedures, and provided support for paraeducators.

  • House Bill 5437: a bill to review and update professional development requirements and support efforts to improve school culture and climate.

  • Senate Bill 154: a bill that enhanced student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.

  • House Bill 5524: a bill that expanded the Indoor Air Quality Grant Program.

  • Senate Bill 5: a bill that supported the extension of the state Indoor Air Quality Working Group.

  • Senate Bill 14: a bill that ensured teacher rights at Goodwin University Magnet School were protected.

  • House Bill 5523: a bill that implemented the budget, which included $550,000 for the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and added the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.

This year marked Senator Hochadel’s second session serving in the Connecticut Senate. Her score on the CEA Legislator Report Card closely mirrors the 98% the organization awarded her in 2023.

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. CABRERA A GRADE OF 95 FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. CABRERA A GRADE OF 95 FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Education Association, the state teacher’s union representing more than 43,000 active, retired and aspiring educators, has just released its report card for the 2024 legislative session, and state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) achieved a score of 95, confirming his outstanding commitment to the public policies and budget dollars that make Connecticut teachers and their public school students successful all across the state.

Sen. Cabrera’s score was the third-highest of the 36 state senators. Detailed results of the report card can be found here: https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/?wdt_search=senate

“Connecticut’s exemplary public education system doesn’t occur by accident – it occurs because of a lot of investment by teachers in their students, with the help of state and local governments investing in them too,” Sen. Cabrera said. “I’m proud to do my part to support Connecticut’s hardworking teachers who are educating the next generation for Connecticut to continue moving forward.”

This is the third CEA report card for Sen. Cabrera, who has a lifetime CEA score of 95.8 for voting for the types of pro-public education policies that have made Connecticut’s public school system the second-best in America, according to a WalletHub survey out this week. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

In past years, the CEA has graded legislators on their support for public education policies such as Cultural Responsiveness, School Counselors, Black and Latino Studies, Minority Teacher Recruitment, Student Mental & Behavioral Health, Protecting Teachers’ Personal Information, Standardized Assessment & Special Education, and Safe Classrooms.

This year, the CEA graded legislators for their votes on:

  • House Bill 5436, teacher certification and mandated reporters, for supporting important changes to teacher certification, improvements to mandated reporter procedures, changes to the assessment for teacher preparatory programs, and supports for paraeducators.
  • House Bill 5437, Professional Development & School Climate, for supporting and updating professional development requirements and improving school culture and climate.
  • Senate Bill 154, Behavior Notification & Assessment Audit, for supporting better student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.
  • House Bill 5524 and Senate Bill 5, School Indoor Air Quality, for supporting and expanding Connecticut’s school Indoor Air Quality grant program.
  • Senate Bill 14, Goodwin Magnet Teacher Rights, for ensuring teacher rights are maintained at Goodwin University Magnet School.
  • House Bill 5523, the 2024 Budget Implementer, for supporting a budget implementer that included $550,000 to the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and adding CEA to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.

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CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. KUSHNER AN “A” GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

CT TEACHERS UNION GIVES SEN. KUSHNER AN “A” GRADE FOR THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Education Association, a state teacher’s union representing more than 43,000 active, retired and aspiring educators, has just released its report card for the 2024 legislative session, and state Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) received an “A” grade, confirming her outstanding commitment to the public policies and budget dollars that make Connecticut teachers and their public school students successful all across the state.

Sen. Kushner’s score was the second highest of the 36 state senators. Detailed results of the report card can be found here: https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/?wdt_search=senate

“All of my children attended Danbury public schools, and all of them got a first-class education thanks to the dedication and excellence of Connecticut’s public school teachers. I am doing everything I can in the General Assembly to ensure that the current generation and the next generation of Connecticut students walking through the halls of our schools have the same opportunity to learn from great teachers,” Sen. Kushner said. “I’m especially pleased to be recognized for my work on improving indoor air quality standards in Connecticut schools; I helped write that legislation and I co-chair the committee that is helping to ensure successful learning and teaching in our schools.”

This is the fourth CEA report card for Sen. Kushner, who has a lifetime CEA score of 98 for voting for the types of pro-public education policies that have made Connecticut’s public school system the second-best in the United States, according to a WalletHub survey out this week. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335

The CEA awarded an average score of 90.2 (A-) to the 24 Democratic senators this session, and an average score of 76.5 (C) to the 12 Republican senators.

In past years, the CEA has graded legislators on their support for public education policies such as Cultural Responsiveness, School Counselors, Black and Latino Studies, Minority Teacher Recruitment, Student Mental & Behavioral Health, Protecting Teachers’ Personal Information, Standardized Assessment & Special Education, and Safe Classrooms.

This year, the CEA graded legislators for their votes on:

  • House Bill 5436, teacher certification and mandated reporters, for supporting important changes to teacher certification, improvements to mandated reporter procedures, changes to the assessment for teacher preparatory programs, and supports for paraeducators.
  • House Bill 5437, Professional Development & School Climate, for supporting and updating professional development requirements and improving school culture and climate.
  • Senate Bill 154, Behavior Notification & Assessment Audit, for supporting better student behavior notifications to parents and a standardized assessment audit.
  • House Bill 5524 and Senate Bill 5, School Indoor Air Quality, for supporting and expanding Connecticut’s school Indoor Air Quality grant program.
  • Senate Bill 14, Goodwin Magnet Teacher Rights, for ensuring teacher rights are maintained at Goodwin University Magnet School.
  • House Bill 5523, the 2024 Budget Implementer, for supporting a budget implementer that included $550,000 to the Teachers Retirement Board for Retiree Healthcare and adding CEA to the Education Mandate Review Advisory Council.

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Kamala Harris For President

Posted on by Devin James

Kamala Harris For President

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, released the following statement endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States:

“I unequivocally support the presumptive Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris for President of the United States of America. She is prepared to lead with tenacity and wit. Her experience and leadership are unmatched. Her unwavering commitment to advancing the cause for humanity is unparalleled. I stand firmly behind her as we work to build a more promising and prosperous future together that is inspired by hope.”

Sen. Winfield Endorses VP Kamala Harris For President

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Winfield Endorses VP Kamala Harris For President

Today, Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), co-Chair of the Judiciary Committee, released the following statement endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States:

“I believe Kamala Harris is the right person to move the Democratic Party and this nation forward. She is fiercely intelligent and highly capable of leading in this moment. At a time when so much is at stake let us unite behind the next President of the United States, Kamala Harris.

“On another more personal note, I am extremely excited to show my daughter Imani that it is possible not because we say it is but because our actions and words match.”
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Looney, Duff Statement on Biden’s Decision to Not Seek Re-Election

Posted on by Devin James

Looney, Duff Statement on Biden’s Decision to Not Seek Re-Election

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s decision to not seek re-election.

“President Biden’s selfless decision to step aside and pass the torch to Vice President Harris is indicative of his commitment to public service and dedication to the best interests of the American people. His tenure as president has led to a safer world, a cleaner environment, a once in a generation investment in our infrastructure, the fastest economic recovery from COVID, and a stronger health care system. Connecticut and the nation are indebted to President Biden’s lifetime of service.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov