Overview

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) There is established a Minority Teacher Recruitment Policy Oversight Council within the Department of Education. The council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, (2) two representatives from the minority teacher recruitment task force, established pursuant to section 5 of public act 15-108, as amended by this act, (3) one representative from each of the exclusive bargaining units for certified employees, chosen pursuant to section 10-153b of the general statutes, (4) the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee, and (5) a representative from an alternate route to certification program, appointed by the Commissioner of Education. The council shall hold quarterly meetings and advise, at least quarterly, the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, on ways to (A) encourage minority middle and secondary school students to attend institutions of higher education and enter teacher preparation programs, (B) recruit minority students attending institutions of higher education to enroll in teacher preparation programs and pursue teaching careers, (C) recruit and retain minority teachers in Connecticut schools, (D) recruit minority teachers from other states to teach in Connecticut schools, and (E) recruit minority professionals in other fields to enter teaching. The council shall report, annually, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the recommendations given to the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, pursuant to the provisions of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education. For purposes of this section, "minority" means individuals whose race is defined as other than white, or whose ethnicity is defined as Hispanic or Latino by the federal Office of Management and Budget for use by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of Commerce.

Council Purpose (per Public Act 16-41)

1. Advise the Commissioner of Education, at least quarterly, on ways to:
   a. Encourage minority middle and secondary school students to attend institutions of higher education and enter teacher preparation programs
   b. Recruit minority students attending institutions of high education to enroll in teacher programs and pursue teaching careers
   c. Recruit and retain minority teachers in Connecticut schools
   d. Recruit minority teachers from other states to teach in Connecticut schools
   e. Recruit minority professionals in other fields to enter teaching


2. Not later than June 30, 2017, and each year thereafter, report annually to the Education Committee of the General Assembly on the recommendations given to the Commissioner.

Guides and Reports

• Minority Teacher Recruitment Annual Reports
• Creating a District Plan to Increase the Racial, Ethnic and Linguistic Diversity of Your Educator Workforce: A Guidebook for Hiring and Selection