Through the Northeast Comprehensive Center (NCC), CTAC assists the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to address issues that have statewide educational impact. These efforts are designed to increase the capacity of CSDE to meet its overall strategic objectives. CTAC is a partnering organization within the NCC. The NCC provides technical assistance to the six New England states and New York.

CTAC is providing technical assistance to the CSDE as it develops its statewide plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). At present, CTAC's assistance focuses on working with the CSDE leadership team to think through how evidence-based practices and strategies can strengthen both state and local educational initiatives and the best way to disseminate this information to local school districts.

Another major emphasis is on examining the Connecticut teacher certification structure and requirements. As with most states, the challenge lies with creating expedited pathways to certification while maintaining high standards for new teachers. CTAC is assisting the CSDE to examine its requirements to help ensure sufficient pathways to teacher certification are available and meet high quality standards.

CTAC is also assisting the CSDE in developing a monitoring and evaluation design for its statewide teacher induction program, TEAM. Through TEAM, Connecticut is addressing a critical factor, the lack of support for teachers, that studies have indicated is a prime reason for teachers leaving the profession. Ensuring that TEAM continues to meet the needs of beginning teachers is a high priority in Connecticut.

CTAC will continue to work with the CSDE to address high priority initiatives where our assistance will add value. Visit www.ctacusa.com to learn more about CTAC. And to learn more about the Northeast Comprehensive Center, visit www.northeastcompcenter.org.