Lamont To Sign Bill Requiring More Minority Teachers In Public Schools

Governor Ned Lamont declares that while more than 40 percent of Connecticut’s student population comprise people of color, only 8.7 percent of the state’s public school teachers are minorities. Legislation that passed on Tuesday 150-0 in the State House looks to transform those numbers. The bill also passed the State Senate.

Lamont will sign into law legislation he proposed with several state legislators that will recruit more teachers of color into classrooms. The plan calls on the Connecticut Department of Education to develop a strategy to ensure local and regional boards of education hire a minimum of 250 minority teachers statewide each year. See bill language here.

From Lamont:

“Numerous studies have shown that students of color do better in school when they have teachers of color in the classroom, however our state has overwhelming disparities and should be doing more to ensure diversity in our schools, including among faculty,” Governor Lamont said. “All students should have access to positive teaching and learning experiences so they can be prepared for the global workforce that awaits them. Enacting these improvements will be a direct investment in the classroom and in student success. I want to thank the entire Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force and the co-chairs of the Education Committee for their continued commitment to making sure that we are doing everything we can in our state to both recruit and maintain minority teachers. I applaud both chambers of the General Assembly for voting favorably on this proposal and sending it to my desk so that I can sign it into law.”