Latest news with #ConnecticutDepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol Report: Leaders debate energy legislation, DEI, PURA Commissioner
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — This week on Capitol Report, the panel discusses the future of energy legislation in Connecticut, including a new proposal to cut utility rates by 20%. Not all lawmakers are buying in. Plus, the Connecticut Department of Education declines to comply with the Executive Order to end DEI in schools and a walkout occurred during the PURA Commissioner nomination vote. News 8 political reporter Mike Cerulli shares more on energy legislation. The panel discusses an apology from Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas over comments regarding the Trump administration and how a Stamford Mayoral candidate is a time traveler from space. Watch the show in the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Reproductive health advocates push against Trump's plan to freeze Title X
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — In a push to protect Title X, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Planned Parenthood and other advocates met on Wednesday to talk about reproductive health services. Connecticut Department of Education declines to sign Trump administration's DEI compliance orders They said that the Trump Administration's plan to freeze Title X funding would have a critical impact on reproductive health services. 'Withholding these funds is really an attempt to cut off access to birth control, cancer screenings, STI & STD testing, and reproductive health care in general. This is a major public health concern,' Bysiewicz said. 'There is no shortage of ability to take innocent life in this state through abortion clinics, and this is nothing more than just simple politics to assuage the abortion lobby that all is well with them, but we have other needs in this state,' Chris Healy of the Connecticut Catholic Conference said. Title X was established in 1970 to provide affordable birth control and reproductive health care to people with low incomes who couldn't otherwise access it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Connecticut celebrates special education on National IEP Writing Day
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — The state celebrated National IEP Writing Day on Monday. IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, and those programs form the backbone of special education in Connecticut. But in celebrating the day, experts are also talking about how the state's special education system is badly in need of reform. Gov. Ned Lamont signs $40M special education funding bill Just two months ago, Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill allocating an extra $40 million for special education. This month, educators and politicians are celebrating one of the uses for that money: the IEP. 'They are personalized plans designed by teams of parents, educators, and students to meet each learner's unique needs,' Dep. Commissioner Sinthia Sone-Moyano of the Connecticut Department of Education said. That means every single IEP is different for every student. 'They are a vital tool that helps ensure that every student receives the education that is personalized to them that they need to thrive,' Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz (D-CT) said at a press conference at New Britain High School Monday. Connecticut high school graduate can't read or write. Who failed her? New Britain has one of the largest high schools in the state, but even a school that large size does not have the resources needed to deal with all the different special needs of students. That means it has to send some students out of the district, and that costs money. 'Here in New Britain, we're anticipating $3 million additional to be spent on outplacements next year,' New Britain Consolidated School District Superintendent Tony Gasper said. 'That's despite all of our best efforts to serve these students right here close to home, which of course, we'd prefer.' Every district would prefer to keep students in the district. A legislative subcommittee has been going across the state talking to people about the needs and costs of special education. 'And one thing we realized is we have to do something right now because we are getting to a crisis point,' State Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-22nd district) said. 'Not only with rising costs, but with workload burdens…' There will be a legislative hearing on special education next Monday, April 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
