Connecticut: College and Career Policies

Student Assessments: English Language Arts

Connecticut adopted the Smarter Balanced assessment, and also has the Connecticut Mastery test which is a standard assessment for grades 3-8 in reading, math, writing, and science; and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test for grade 10 in reading, math, writing, and science.

Content Standards: Health

A planned, sequential PK-12 comprehensive school health education addresses the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of health and enables children and youth to become healthy and productive citizens and establish and practice health-enhancing behaviors over a lifetime. Curriculum is designed to motivate children and youth to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, reduce health-related risk behaviors and develop and demonstrate health-related knowledge, attitudes, skills and practices. Certified, highly qualified and effective teachers provide comprehensive school health education, which is one component of a coordinated approach to school health.

Graduation Requirements: Additional Graduation Requirements

Connecticut requires 10 credits worth of "other" graduation requirements.

Content Standards: Mathematics

Connecticut updated the math standards in 2010. They are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Administrator Licensure Renewal

Professional development hours are not required for renewal of a certificate. Requirements are outlined in linked document.

Graduation Requirements: Mathematics

Connecticut requires 4 credits of math to graduate.

Content Standards: Arts (Performing)

Connecticut updated the Arts standards in 1999.

Student Assessments: Mathematics

Content Standards: Arts (Visual)

Connecticut updated the Arts standards in 2007.

Content Standards: Physical Education

Planned, sequential PK-12 physical education provides psychomotor, cognitive and affective content and learning experiences that promote optimum personal development. Quality curriculum and instruction, provided in a safe, supportive environment, offer meaningful, challenging learning for all students, and result in lifetime learning outcomes of skills, literacy, and ability to understand concepts and develop plans for lifetime physical activity and wellness. Physical education is one component in a coordinated approach to school health.

Student Assessments: Assessment Authority

The Connecticut State Board of Education has full authority to adopt assessments.

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Professional Development

Connecticut follows The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium standards which include five Professional Development Propositions.

Content Standards: Career and Technical Education

Connecticut updated the Career and Technical Education standards in 2011.

Content Standards: Science

Connecticut adopted Next Generation Science Standards in 2015.

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Authority

Public Act 12-116, An Act Concerning Education Reform, was pivotal in defining an annual performance evaluation system for administrators and teachers, based upon a new standard of effective practice. (a) The superintendent of each local or regional board of education shall continuously evaluate or cause to be evaluated each teacher, in accordance with guidelines established by the State Board of Education, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, [for the development of evaluation programs] and such other guidelines as may be established by mutual agreement between the local or regional board of education and the teachers' representative chosen pursuant to section 10-153b.

Graduation Requirements: Science

Connecticut requires 3 credits of science to graduate.

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Policy

Beginning in November 2010, a Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) was formed to establish the CT Guidelines for Educator Evaluation. These Guidelines were approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) on June 27, 2012 and inform implementation of model teacher and administrator evaluation and support systems being piloted in districts throughout the state during the 2012-13 school year. CT’s System for Educator Evaluation and Development (SEED) is a model evaluation system that is aligned to the Guidelines. The new model defines four categories of teacher performance: student learning (45%), teacher performance and practice (40%), parent feedback (10%) and school-wide student learning or student feedback (5%). This model system is used annually to evaluate teachers.

Student Assessments: Science

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Authority

The State Board of Education grants teaching certificates in Connecticut.

Content Standards: Social Studies

Social studies is the integration of knowledge and human experience for the purpose of citizenship. Students gain knowledge of history, civics and government, geography, and economics; understand the interaction between and among history, the social sciences and humanities; and apply that knowledge and understanding as responsible citizens.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Policy

In order to be eligible for a Connecticut teaching certificate an applicant must meet assessment, preparation and eligibility requirements.

Graduation Requirements: Social Studies

Connecticut requires 4 credits of Social Studies.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Preparation Authority

The State Board of Education approves educator preparation programs after commissioner presents program evaluated by the appointed review committee.

Content Standards: Standards Authority

The State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards. Pursuant to Title 10, the Connecticut State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards.

Professional Program Standards and Requirements: Educator Preparation Policy

Connecticut House Bill No. 6292. An Act Concerning Teacher Education Programs — Under current law, the State Board of Education has established four professional teaching standards competency areas. The bill requires candidates to also complete training in how children learn and develop socially and emotionally. Programs should meet standards put forth by NCATE and be accredited. Connecticut state-approved educator programs may lead to a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree. All applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to meet educational requirements. If you completed an educator program in another state, you may still be eligible for a Connecticut teaching certificate.

State Policy Database

You are here