Laura Stefon

Chief of Staff and Legislative Liaison @EducateCT

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

From @GovNedLamont and @LGSusanB to state legislators and Commissioner @CharleneRTedu, leaders from across CT have come together to share one message with our teachers: THANK YOU and Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek!

[Laura Stefon @LStef82]

This is so cool! It's a music Infused "Course in a Box" to spark student engagement!
@EducateCT @StevieVanZandt @TeachRock.org

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

In partnership with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
@StevieVanZandt's @TeachRock.org, the CSDE announced today a new high school elective, An American History of Rock and Soul — a semester course that explores United States history through the artists and sounds that shaped it...

In addition, the course can set interested students on a pathway to the music entertainment and business industries. The course arrives as a classroom-ready “Course in a Box” and is the first of many career-focused courses the CSDE plans to release in the future. An American History of Rock and Soul, a semester-long (half-credit) elective, is available free to every district through Connecticut’s GoOpenCT digital library and https://t.co/FBYJR48Bc3.

The course uses music as a primary source to explore the nation’s history, showing how genres such as blues, rock and roll, soul, R & B, electronica, and hip hop both reflect and shape major cultural and social movements in the United States.

“As someone who grew up on classic rock, I know how powerfully music can shape how we see the world,” said @GovNedLamont. “This course uses that inspiration to spark learning and curiosity, helping students connect history, big ideas, and their own personal stories and experiences. As Connecticut’s creative economy grows, it also helps students imagine future careers in media, entertainment, and innovation. I’m grateful to TeachRock and the educators bringing this opportunity to our schools and inspiring young people to see what’s possible.”

“With a personal and deep appreciation for the power of music, I recognize its strength in reaching students, sparking curiosity, and connecting learning to the world they live in,” said Education Commissioner @CharleneRTedu. “By offering this course free to every district, we are expanding access to engaging materials that make history meaningful and relevant. An American History of Rock and Soul invites students to discover America’s story through the artists and voices that shaped it, while opening doors to fields such as digital media, storytelling, performance, and the music business. This is another step in ensuring that every student in Connecticut has the opportunity to explore their passions, build their skills, and prepare for success in life, learning, and work beyond school.”

“I was a terrible student. But, years after my school career was over, I realized that my engagement with music had made me a passionate historian who was applying the research skills that could have landed me on the honor roll in high school,” said Van Zandt, TeachRock founder. “We're teaming up with Connecticut educators to help students find that passion now. We're going to give these kids the class that inspires them to show up, succeed, and imagine how they can point themselves toward meaningful adult lives."

The course is organized with units by decades, from events leading into the 1950s to the 1990s. Within each decade, there are 4-5 units aligned to musical or historical themes. Units include a course syllabus, lessons, and instructional media that students analyze as primary historical sources, including song lyrics, album covers, performance videos, historical documents, and artist interviews.

Each lesson also includes a creative arts-integrated activity or project that allows students to contribute their own perspectives and experiences in the conversation.

[Laura Stefon @LStef82]

Charlene M. Russell-Tucker (opinion): Connecting classrooms to careers drives success stories in Connecticut  @EducateCT @CharleneRTedu
https://t.co/0L82CAbBev via @insider_ct

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

@EdCommission @GovNedLamont joined Commissioner @CharleneRTedu & leaders from across New England at today’s @EdCommission convening where he highlighted the importance of collaboration across states to strengthen education for all students.

"That's what ECS is all about," he concluded.

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

The first-ever New England convening of @EdCommission is underway in Hartford! Commissioner Russell-Tucker welcomed leaders from across the region, highlighting shared goals to expand opportunity, strengthen collaboration, and unlock lifelong potential for every student. #ECS #CTEd

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

This morning, we’re hosting the first-ever New England convening of the @EdCommission, a national organization that helps state leaders strengthen education policy and practice. Excited to kick off with student performances and collaboration in action! #ECS

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

At last night’s State Board of Ed meeting, members of CEA's Aspiring Educators Program and CSDE's Educators Rising were recognized for their leadership in strengthening CT’s educator pipeline.

Together, these programs inspire and support students- from middle school to college-who are preparing to become the next generation of diverse, well-prepared, and passionate educators.

To learn more about the many pathways to becoming an educator in CT, go to https://t.co/a2cyR9uBhE

[State Of CT Jobs @CTStateJobs]

Join us as the @EducateCT Bureau Chief for Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities! Lead efforts to ensure educators are prepared to support all learners. Shape policy, oversee program compliance, and make a lasting impact on reading education statewide.

🔗 https://t.co/eQvxhPyp9o

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Be sure to read Commissioner @CharleneRTedu's op-ed, titled “Delivering on a Universe of Opportunities for CT’s Students,” which was published today by the @hartfordcourant: https://t.co/5XMJ0LLcX3

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

REMINDER!

Join @SenMcCrory and Commissioner @CharleneRTedu
on Jan. 14 for a Community Forum to discuss the past, present, and future of education in Connecticut. Share your thoughts, learn about progress, and explore what lies ahead!

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Thank you, @GovNedLamont, for visiting our holiday gathering yesterday and recognizing the important work being done at CSDE. Your words celebrating CT’s educators and school communities inspire us all.

We deeply appreciate the time you spent engaging with our staff. Your support accentuates the importance of our mission to create a #UniverseOfOpportunities for all 512,652 students in Connecticut.

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

This evening, @EducateCT and the @CTTOYCouncil hosted the annual Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony to celebrate our 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Julia Miller, our district Teachers of the Year, and 2025 Ann Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Keysha Evans. These remarkable educators exemplify the heart, resilience, and commitment found in classrooms across Connecticut. Congratulations to all of these deserving educators!

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Today’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) State Summit, brought together over 200 CTE educators, administrators, school counselors, and industry leaders at @CCSU!

With powerful insights from @GovNedLamont, Commissioner @CharleneRTedu, @ct_ows Chief Workforce Officer Kelli-Marie Vallieres, William Barber from @GDElectricBoat, @CCSU Pres. Zulma Toro, and @junearcher, the event highlighted our commitment to creating real-world learning experiences that prepare all learners for post-secondary success and showcased how CTE opens #AUniverseOfOpportunities for students to thrive in Connecticut's workforce!

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Career and Technical Education State Summit!

Join us on Oct 29 at @CCSU to explore innovative strategies, network with educators & industry leaders, and gain the tools to modernize CTE programs. Let’s shape the future of career education together!

[Laura Stefon @LStef82]

RT @EducateCT: The CT State Board of Education and @EducateCT celebrated CT's 2024 @NatlBlueRibbon Schools. Thank you for joining us this e…

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Exciting News: We released our 2023-2024 Attendance and Student Assessment data today, highlighting continued improvement in chronic absenteeism and performance scores in mathematics and science!

- Chronic absenteeism rates dropped by 2.3 percentage points, with 11,674 more students attending regularly. Over 80% of districts improved, and our LEAP program is driving double-digit gains in attendance!

- Results show overall improvement in mathematics and science for the second consecutive year, with the most noticeable improvements across the majority of student groups in mathematics. ELA performance was at or above 2022-23 levels in Grades 3 through 7.

To learn more about the data, read today's press release here: https://t.co/8HkxJW3heD

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

📢 @GovNedLamont & Commissioner @CharleneRTedu are pleased to announce that the CT State Board of Education today adopted a Position Statement and Policy Guidance on Personal Technology in K-12 schools.

Created at the direction of @GovNedLamont by the CSDE, the document provides school districts with guidance when drafting and implementing policies to promote a focused learning environment that restricts access to smartphones, other similar personal technology devices, and social media apps during the school day.

To read the full press release and policy guidance, click here: https://t.co/qxjFWr6pUO

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

Commissioner @CharleneRTedu joined @SenBlumenthal, State Senator Paul Cicarella, and other local leaders at the @wallingfordymca to visit and celebrate their summer camp programming. Wallingford Family YMCA is a recipient of CSDE’s summer enrichment and mental health grants. By accessing these two grant programs, the Wallingford Family YMCA is supporting student enrichment, interpersonal development, and mental health over the summer, thereby providing students with continuous opportunities to learn and grow and effectively bridging the gap between school years.

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

📢 For the third year in a row, Connecticut has landed at No. 2 among the top-performing K-12 public school systems in America, according to @WalletHub.

Read more here! https://t.co/74p9vO0VIP

[CT Dept of Education @EducateCT]

https://t.co/RCjovpGPpd