CT’s largest teachers union to unveil measures to address teacher shortage

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The state’s largest teacher union outlined measures it said addresses a teacher shortage and brings more people into the profession.

The Connecticut Education Association held a news conference at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday at the state capitol in Hartford.

The union said the shortage has been the cause of early dismissals and lost learning time for students.

Data from the Connecticut Office of Legislative Research showed more than 1,300 teacher vacancies and more than 1,300 paraprofessional positions that need to be filled. Another 400 social workers and school psychologists are also needed.

CEA leaders, teachers, and parents called on the state to fix the teacher shortage crisis by directing new education cost sharing grant money toward recruitment and retention efforts.

The CEA said parents at the news conference shared how the crisis has negatively impacted their children.

Educators also discussed the challenges they are facing, including larger class sizes, additional teaching duties, and a long and growing list of other demands on educators that are not sustainable.

Earlier this month, the Lamont administration added to a previously announced initiative aimed at hiring and retaining teachers.

Its $3 million initiative included expanding high school programs to train teachers within their own communities, a new educator evaluation system, and additional support for staff.

Lawmakers said they are putting $150 million into the budget to help train and recruit more teachers.

However, most educators pushed for increased pay. The CEA said back in March that the average salary was $47,000. It proposed raising that to $60,000.

The President of the Connecticut Teachers Association said neighboring states are paying more and because of that we are losing teachers to those states.

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