Education Committee Deep Dive, and more

February 21, 2025


 
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Dear Neighbor,
Happy Friday!

This week, the Education Committee held its first public hearing. We spent nine hours listening to our commissioners and the public weigh in on various bills, including bills that:


 
  1. limits the use of smart devices by students in school, an idea I've long been supportive of,
  2. makes investments in in-district special education,
  3. creates a universal preschool endowment, and
  4. the establishment of a Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement on high school diplomas to encourage and expand civics education.
If you are looking for a deep dive into the Education Committee's work, you can watch the nine hour public hearing here!
In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about some of the legislation the Education Committee is considering, upcoming Fairfield events, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Next Week's Public Hearings 
There are 19 public hearings scheduled next week, including one on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10am for the Education Committee. Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

If you're interested in testifying or watching a public hearing you can see the schedule for next week below:
 
Limiting Phone Use in Our Schools 
Like I mentioned earlier, one of the biggest issues the Education Committee is considering this year is the idea of limiting phone use for students in schools.

I had a conversation recently with a friend who was a high school teacher and is now a college professor and she told me when every student started to have an iPhone, student engagement and standards lowered, anxiety was raised, and there were fewer friendships in the classroom. I've heard these trends from most educators I know.

In fact, even some students acknowledge they don't like their phones and are relieved when they are forced to put them away.

The rampant use of smartphones in our society has become an addiction that is hard to break. These devices are negatively impacting our children and we have the power to prevent further isolation and disconnection among our young people.

There are a number of bills being debated on this very topic, including HB 6923: An Act Concerning the Use of Smart Devices in Schools.

If you care about this issue here at the local level, you can email our Board of Education, or attend the BOE's Town Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 27th at 7:00pm at 501 Kings Hwy East. It is the most impactful way to make your voice heard.

 
Increasing Diversity in Teacher Recruitment
This week Gov. Lamont addressed the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. I appreciated the way he addressed the way the Trump administration has impacted us here in Connecticut with his attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the governor said, "talent is widely dispersed, but opportunity is less so." That, to me, is the whole point. DEI has never been about lowering of standards but better recruitment.

For example, for economically disadvantaged Black male students who have access to a Black teacher, their probability of dropping out of high school decreases by 39%.

Black students taught by Black teachers have:

  • Higher reading and math scores
  • Greater happiness and connection in school
  • Higher probability of being referred to a Gifted Program
  • Lower chronic absenteeism
  • Lower suspension rates
This isn't just "DEI" for the sake of it - minority teacher recruitment is good for children and good for society. There are dozens of peer reviewed studies on these impacts.
 
Protecting 504 Disability Plans in Connecticut
There is a recent court case titled "Texas v. Becerra" that says 504 plans, which provide accommodations for people with disabilities, are unconstitutional.

The lawsuit is targeting "gender dysphoria" as a protected disability, but goes further, claiming the entirety of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is unconstitutional.

Labeling disability accommodations as "unconstitutional" is dangerous for our students, so in Connecticut, we are taking steps to protect access to 504 plans.

This week, the Education Committee raised a bill to protect access to 504 plans in Connecticut. We are in the early stages of this bill, but I will keep you updated as the bill progresses through the legislative process. If you want to make your voice heard on this piece of legislation, please sign up to provide testimony when this receives a public hearing.

You can learn more about the court case here.
 
Shop Fairfield's 2025 Events
Shop Fairfield has a number of great great events coming up this year, including the Spring Shop & Stroll, Make Music Fairfield, and the 14th Annual Fairfield Restaurant Week.

These are great events that support our small businesses, bring the community together, and show what makes our town so special. Please take a look at the events for the rest of the year, and start marking your calendars!
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
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