Governor Lamont Launches Paraeducator Preparation Academy to Strengthen Connecticut's Special Education Workforce
Governor Ned Lamont, alongside Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, announced the opening of registration for the Paraeducator Preparation Academy, a new initiative by the Connecticut State Department of Education. This free, six-week program is designed to prepare aspiring paraeducators for the ParaPathways assessment, a requirement for employment in Connecticut. The academy offers instruction from certified bilingual educators, covers the cost of study materials and exams, and provides Spanish-language support. The inaugural session will run from August 17 to September 23 at the LEAD Center in East Hartford, with plans for additional sessions across Connecticut in the fall. The program is funded by a $1 million state investment and aims to eliminate barriers to entry into the special education workforce.