Connecticut Teachers Push for More Funding, Protections, and Paid Student Teaching

Educators rally at the state Capitol to advocate for their legislative priorities before the session ends.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:30am

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a repeating grid of school supplies like textbooks, pencils, and notebooks, rendered in a bold, pop art style.Educators rally for increased school funding and worker protections, highlighting the essential tools of their profession.Hartford Today

With less than a month until the Connecticut legislature adjourns, public school teachers are intensifying their push for increased education funding, worker protections, and a new paid student teaching program. The state's largest teachers union, the Connecticut Education Association, is leading the charge, calling on lawmakers to boost the Education Cost Sharing formula, establish a fair termination process, and provide a weekly $1,000 stipend for student teachers.

Why it matters

Teachers' demands reflect growing concerns about underfunded schools, teacher shortages, and the need to attract and retain educators in the state. The outcome of these legislative efforts could have significant implications for the quality of public education in Connecticut.

The details

At a news conference outside the state Capitol, CEA leaders and educators outlined their key priorities for the final weeks of the legislative session. They are urging lawmakers to increase the state's contribution to the Education Cost Sharing formula, which they say has failed to keep up with districts' rising costs. They also want to establish a fair termination process for teachers, including a standard of review and neutral arbitration hearings, as well as protections to keep educators' personal addresses private. Additionally, the teachers are pushing for a new paid student teaching program that would provide a $1,000 weekly stipend.

  • The Connecticut legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 6, 2026.
  • The Education Committee has already approved the bill for the paid student teaching program, but it still needs to clear the Appropriations Committee.

The players

Kate Dias

President of the Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

Joslyn DeLancey

Vice president of the Connecticut Education Association.

Kevin Brown

Democratic state representative from Vernon and vice chair of the Education Committee.

Julie Kushner

Democratic state senator from Danbury.

Gail Jorden

A teacher from Bloomfield.

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What they’re saying

“For us, this legislative session has been about how do we continue to build, strengthen, enhance the work that goes on in our school system?”

— Kate Dias, President, Connecticut Education Association

“We need to make sure we're not just enacting policies that work but committing to the funding that makes a difference.”

— Joslyn DeLancey, Vice President, Connecticut Education Association

“Education, in my estimation, is the most important investment we can make as a state, and we've got to stop beating around the bush and losing sight of that, and make sure we invest in it ... restructure ECS so we're actually paying and taking the burden off communities; that we're doing right by teachers who are the frontline workers servicing our students every day.”

— Kevin Brown, State Representative, Vice Chair of the Education Committee

“Student teaching is a full-time job with myriad responsibilities, both in the classroom and out. Yet currently, most student teachers in Connecticut are unpaid.”

— Mary Kay Rendock, Retired Bloomfield Teacher

“Every other employee has this access to a fair procedure, but not teachers. There's something wrong with that.”

— Julie Kushner, State Senator, Danbury

What’s next

The paid student teaching program bill still needs to clear the Appropriations Committee before heading to the full House and Senate for a vote. Lawmakers will also need to work out differences between the legislature's budget proposal and the governor's priorities to determine final funding levels for education initiatives.

The takeaway

Connecticut teachers are making a concerted push to secure more funding, worker protections, and support for the profession as they face challenges like teacher shortages and underfunded schools. The outcome of these legislative efforts could have significant implications for the quality of public education in the state.