Connecticut Debuts 'Course in a Box' Focused on Music History

State education leaders hope new elective will engage students and provide teachers with ready-to-use curriculum.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Connecticut Department of Education has released its first-ever 'Course in a Box,' titled 'An American History of Rock and Soul.' The one-semester elective is designed to use music as a primary source to explore key social movements and historical events. The course was developed in partnership with the nonprofit TeachRock and is available for free through the state's digital library. While some educators are cautiously optimistic about the new curriculum, others warn that 'canned' courses may not meet the needs of diverse student populations.

Why it matters

This course represents a shift in the state's education strategy, moving away from a compliance-focused model toward providing more resources and support for teachers. If successful, the 'Course in a Box' model could be expanded to other subject areas and potentially offer dual-credit opportunities, helping to improve access to postsecondary education for first-generation and low-income students.

The details

The 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course covers pivotal moments in music history from the 1950s through the present, exploring how songwriters and musicians have reflected and influenced social movements like the civil rights movement and the counterculture. The course materials, which are stored in a digital library, are designed to be easily deployed by teachers without extensive preparation. While some educators are concerned that 'canned' curricula may not meet the needs of diverse student populations, supporters argue that providing high-quality, free-to-use resources can give teachers more time to focus on effective instructional strategies.

  • The Connecticut Department of Education announced the release of the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course in January 2026.
  • The course is available to the public through GoOpenCT, the state's digital library of open educational resources.

The players

Irene Parisi

Chief Academic Officer at the Connecticut Department of Education, who oversaw the development of the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course.

Kate Dias

President of the Connecticut Education Association, the state's largest teacher union, who expressed concerns about 'canned' curricula not meeting the needs of diverse student populations.

Casey Cobb

Education policy professor at the University of Connecticut, who had a positive initial reaction to the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course and sees it as a potential shift in the state's education strategy.

TeachRock

A nonprofit organization that partnered with the Connecticut Department of Education to develop the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course and provides educational resources for schools nationwide.

The Rock and Soul Forever Foundation

The parent organization of TeachRock, which funds the nonprofit's work on developing educational resources.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Beginning with the 1950s all the way through, there are some pivotal moments with songwriters that we keep coming back to.”

— Irene Parisi, Chief Academic Officer, Connecticut Department of Education (The Connecticut Mirror)

“As educators, there's a lot we can do with curriculum that is 'in a box,' but this really doesn't necessarily address the students in front of us.”

— Kate Dias, President, Connecticut Education Association (The Connecticut Mirror)

“I'm very interested to see the other courses (that the department develops). I'm impressed by this first course just because it's an elective. It ties into music, which kids would be engaged in, ties into history and culture … I think it has real potential to be a good course.”

— Casey Cobb, Education Policy Professor, University of Connecticut (The Connecticut Mirror)

What’s next

If the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course is successful, the Connecticut Department of Education plans to develop more 'Course in a Box' offerings, potentially matching them with dual credit opportunities to help improve access to postsecondary education.

The takeaway

The Connecticut Department of Education's 'Course in a Box' initiative represents a shift away from a compliance-focused education model toward providing more resources and support for teachers. While some educators express concerns about 'canned' curricula, the 'An American History of Rock and Soul' course shows promise in engaging students through music and exploring key historical and social themes.