The Office of Legislative Research writes nonpartisan reports for legislators on various topics. Recent reports related to the Education Committee’s subject areas include:

Education Mandates Enacted in 2023 – 2024-R-0062

State Investigations of Section 504 Complaints in Schools – 2024-R-0030

Education Laws Requiring Parental Notification – 2024-R-0023

Minority Teacher Recruitment Recent Legislation – 2023-R-0307

How Teachers’ Retirement System COLAs are Tied to the System’s Investment Performance – 2023-R-0294

OLR Backgrounder: Holocaust and Genocide Instruction in Public Schools – 2023-R-0305

School Meal Programs – 2023-R-0283

JROTC in High Schools – 2023-R-0284

OLR Backgrounder: Armed Security in Schools – 2023-R-0273

School Construction Reimbursement Grants – 2023-R-0250

State agencies

Head Start State Collaboration Office

State Dept. of Education

Office of Early Childhood

State Education Resource Center (SERC)

 

State boards, commissions, and task forces

Commission for Educational Technology

Early Childhood Cabinet

Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap

Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force

School Building Projects Advisory Council

State Education Resource Center Board of Directors

Teachers’ Retirement Board

 

Federal government

U.S. Dept. of Education

National Center for Education Statistics

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

 

Other organizations

Center on Education Policy

Connecticut Coalition for Advocacy Now (ConnCAN)

Education Commission of the States

National Education Policy Center

 

Other online resources

Black and Latino Studies – curriculum development – by the State Education Resource Center (SERC)

Connecticut law about homeschooling – research guide by the Judicial Branch Law Libraries

Connecticut school law – research guide by the Judicial Branch Law Libraries

Connecticut law about special education – research guide by the Judicial Branch Law Libraries

CABE Journal – Connecticut Association of Boards of Education; print subscription.

CASE Bulletin – Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering; electronic subscription.

CBIA News – CT Business and Industry Association; print subscription.

Education Week – Editorial Projects in Education; print subscription with online access.

EdSight – from the Connecticut Dept. of Education. Includes profiles of and performance data from Connecticut school districts.

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) – from the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES): “provides access to bibliographic records of journal and non-journal literature from 1966 to the present.”

National Academies Press publications about education. Legislative Library subscription; see librarian.

NCSL Early Childhood Legislation Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2019-present.

NCSL Education Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2008-present.

NCSL School Safety: Overview and Legislative Tracking – from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tracks legislation from 2018-present.

NCSL Traffic Safety Bill Tracking Database – from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tracks legislation from 2007-present. Database can be searched specifically for legislation relating to school bus safety.

Social Science Database – from ProQuest: “Social Science Database offers indexing and full text for hundreds of academic journals, providing extensive coverage across a wide range of social science disciplines including anthropology, communication, criminology, economics, education, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology.” Access from anywhere with a Connecticut State Library card.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. Contact the library for these and other reports.

Academic growth on the mastery examination of English learners in bilingual education programs – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-17m

Achievement Gap Task Force master plan implementation progress – annual report by the Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap; pursuant to CGS 10-16nn(b)

Commission for Educational Technology annual report – pursuant to CGS 4d-80(c)(8)

Black and Latino studies course description, development, and reviewBlack and Latino studies course description, development, and review – by the State Education Resource Center and the Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 19-12 s.3(a)(2)

Commissioner’s Network operations and instructional audits and turnaround plans – periodic reports by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-223h(i)

Commissioner’s Network schools’ performance – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-223h(j)

Comprehensive statewide interdistrict magnet school planComprehensive statewide interdistrict magnet school plan – by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-264l(b)(1)

Condition of education in Connecticut – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-4(b)

Connecticut Apprenticeship and Education Committee annual report – pursuant to CGS 10-21j(b)

Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Task Force reportConnecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Task Force report – pursuant to PA 22-116 s.11

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) biennial summary report – by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-95k

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) current and pending School Construction Grant funded projects at the Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) – biennial report by DAS; pursuant to CGS 10-283b(c)

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) report of school budgets and expenditures – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-99g(b)

Connecticut State Advisory Council for Special Education annual report – pursuant to CGS 10-76i(c)

Contracts to private vendors, sources of private funding, and employee compensation – annual report by the Dept. of Education pursuant to CGS 10-3b

Economic trends – annual report by the Dept. of Labor; pursuant to CGS 10-95h

Educator Professional Development Requirements Task Force recommendationsEducator Professional Development Requirements Task Force recommendations – pursuant to SA 16-9 s.2

Educator Professional Development Requirements Working Group report – pursuant to PA 22-116 s.4
reportreport
state examplesstate examples

Feasibility of a statewide student information systemFeasibility of a statewide student information system – by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 17-220 s.4

Five-year comprehensive plan for education – periodic report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-4(c)

Implementation of early reading legislation in Connecticut – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-14u(f)

Implementation of graduation requirements – biennial report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-5d(c)

Interstate and reciprocity agreements – annual report by the state Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-146c

Issues relating to the implementation of the teacher pre-service assessment edTPAIssues relating to the implementation of the teacher pre-service assessment edTPA – by the edTPA Working Group; pursuant to PA 19-139

Mastery Examination Committee reportreport and minority reportminority report – published by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 15-238 s.1(c)

Minority teacher recruitment reports – annual reports by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-156bb, CGS 10-156cc, and CGS 10-156dd

Operation of charter schools in Connecticut – biennial report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-66gg

Paraeducator working conditions survey and recommendationsParaeducator working conditions survey and recommendations – by the School Paraeducator Advisory Council; pursuant to PA 21-95 s.13

Policies for awarding college credit for exam scores earned in advanced high school coursesPolicies for awarding college credit for exam scores earned in advanced high school courses – by the CT State Colleges and Universities (CSCU); pursuant to PA 21-2 s.262 June

Priority School Districts grant program evaluation – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-266r(a)

Prototype model school building program reportPrototype model school building program report – by the School Building Projects Advisory Council; pursuant to PA 17-2 s.223 June

Quality of teacher preparation programs – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-146h

Regional comparison of teacher salaries paid by the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) and other public schoolsRegional comparison of teacher salaries paid by the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) and other public schools – by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to SA 21-15 s.26

Remote Learning Commission reportRemote Learning Commission report – published by the state Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 21-2 s.387 June

Report on the modeling of SB 948 and Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) fundingReport on the modeling of SB 948 and Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) funding – by the Office of Fiscal Analysis; pursuant to PA 21-2 s.373 June

Report on the transition of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) to an independent state agencyReport on the transition of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) to an independent state agency – by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 19-117 s.278

Review of scientifically based reading research and instruction professional development – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-148b

The role and impact of school resource officers in ConnecticutThe role and impact of school resource officers in Connecticut – by the CT Center for School Safety and Crisis Preparation at Western Connecticut State University; pursuant to PA 22-114 s.3

School based health centers – annual report by the School Based Health Center Advisory Committee; pursuant to CGS 19a-6i

School facilities survey 2021School facilities survey 2021 – survey done every five years by the Dept. of Administrative Services; pursuant to CGS 10-220

School governance council evaluation report – biennial report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-4s

School Paraprofessional Advisory Council annual report – pursuant to CGS 10-155k

School districts’ efforts to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation of Connecticut’s students – biennial report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-226h(c)

Special Education Cost Model Task Force final reportSpecial Education Cost Model Task Force final report – pursuant to PA 17-2 s.70 June

State-funded after-school programs – biennial report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-16x(g)

Status update on establishment of the Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 21-168 s.9

Student Data Privacy Task Force ReportStudent Data Privacy Task Force Report – pursuant to PA 16-189 s.5, PA 17-200 s.4, and PA 18-125 s.5

Study of the funding process for the Gilbert SchoolStudy of the funding process for the Gilbert School – pursuant to PA 22-118 s.261

Supporting student success in Connecticut: report on after school and summer programsSupporting student success in Connecticut: report on after school and summer programs – by the CT After School Advisory Council; pursuant to PA 18-182 s.6

Task Force to Analyze the Implementation of Laws Governing Dyslexia Instruction and Training final reportTask Force to Analyze the Implementation of Laws Governing Dyslexia Instruction and Training final report – pursuant to SA 19-8

Task Force to Analyze and Make Recommendations on Issues Relating to Early Childhood Workforce Development reportTask Force to Analyze and Make Recommendations on Issues Relating to Early Childhood Workforce Development report – pursuant to PA 21-171 s.2

Task Force to Study the Processing and Retention of Fingerprint Records and Criminal History Records for Educators final reportTask Force to Study the Processing and Retention of Fingerprint Records and Criminal History Records for Educators final report – pursuant to SA 18-25

Teacher certification statute and regulation review report – published by the state Dept. of Education; pursuant to PA 21-80 s.23
reportreport
table (Excel file)table (Excel file)

Teachers’ Retirement System Viability Commission reportTeachers’ Retirement System Viability Commission report – pursuant to PA 17-2 s.59 June

Two-Generational (2Gen) Initiative annual report – by the Two-Generational Advisory Board; pursuant to CGS 17b-112l

Update of education qualifications for teachers (qualified staff members) in state-funded early childhood programs – annual report by the Office of Early Childhood; pursuant to CGS 10-520a

Use of physical restraint and seclusion in Connecticut – annual report by the Dept. of Education; pursuant to CGS 10-236b(k)

For OLR Reports and other materials related to the Education Committee’s work, index headings include:

Education-(subtopic folders for Adult, Bilingual, Boards of, Choice Programs, CT Dept. of, Desegregation, Discipline, Finance, Head Start, Regional, Special, Special-Finance, Testing, and Vocational/Technical)

Education Commission Of The States

Educational Guidance

Educational Law And Legislation

School Administrators

School Attendance

School Employees

Schools-(subtopic folders for Construction, Health, Private, Transportation, Violence)

Teachers-(subtopic folders for Certification and Evaluation, Compensation, Labor Negotiations, Retirement)

The library assigns topical index headings to all OLR Reports and keeps hard copies of the reports organized by these index headings. Reports from 1994 to the present are in the library’s file cabinets (aka the “vertical files”) in the red-tabbed folders, as well as online in full text. Older reports are in two sets of bound volumes (one set for the 1970s, and one for 1980-1993) on the library’s shelves.

The same index headings the library uses for OLR Reports have been used to organize over 600 subject files of materials such as newspaper clippings, court decisions, press releases, pamphlets, and other resources that would be more difficult to locate if they were dispersed throughout the library’s general collection. The subject files are in the blue-tabbed folders in the file cabinets. (Many of the items in these folders have also been digitized by the library, and their electronic versions can be found in the library’s intranet catalog.)

The Condition of Education – annual report by the National Center for Education Statistics

Indicators of School Crime and Safety – annual report the National Center for Education Statistics

Practical Guide to Connecticut School Law, 9th ed. – by Thomas Mooney, 2018

Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education – annual report by the National Center for Education Statistics

For the past several years, almost all newly published items added to the library’s collection have been in electronic format only. These items are accessible in full text through the library’s intranet catalog. Many old print materials have also been digitized and uploaded to the library’s catalog.

To get a general sense of a subject’s history, however, you may find it useful to browse the library stacks in certain locations to see print copies of older publications (and the occasional newer item that was published both electronically and in print). For publications related to education, call number ranges include, but are not limited to:

370 education
371 schools and their activities; special education
372 elementary education
373 secondary education
375 curricula
379 public policy issues in education

Hard copies of mandated reports that were produced only once or as a limited series are shelved by the number of the act that required the report. Hard copies of mandated reports produced regularly with no set end date (for example, state agencies’ annual reports) are shelved in the stacks by subject.

Chronic absence patterns and prediction during Covid-19: insights from ConnecticutChronic absence patterns and prediction during Covid-19: insights from Connecticut – by Attendance Works and the Dept. of Education, 2021

Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding (CCJEF) et al. v. Rell et al. – various documents relating to the court case that began in 2005

An evaluation of the effectiveness of home visits for re-engaging students who were chronically absent in the era of COVID-19An evaluation of the effectiveness of home visits for re-engaging students who were chronically absent in the era of COVID-19 – by the Center for Connecticut Education Research Collaboration (CCERC), 2022

Hartford region public school choice programsHartford region public school choice programs – by the Office of Program Review and Investigations, 2016

The LEAP effect: taking a systemic approach to improving attendance and engagement: lessons learned from Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP)The LEAP effect: taking a systemic approach to improving attendance and engagement: lessons learned from Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) – published by the Dept. of Education, 2023

Performance audit: Farm-to-School Program FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021Performance audit: Farm-to-School Program FY2019, FY2020, and FY2021 – by the Auditors of Public Accounts, 2023

Private providers of special education – periodic report by the Auditors of Public Accounts

Regional cooperation between local boards of educationRegional cooperation between local boards of education – by the Office of Program Review and Investigations, 2015

Sheff v. O’Neill – various documents relating to the court case that began in 1989

State educational technology goals and plan 2017-2022State educational technology goals and plan 2017-2022 – by the CT Commission for Educational Technology, 2017

Statewide summative assessment report – annual report by the state Dept. of Education