CT HB05523

Establishes a task force to study paraprofessional staffing levels, including examination of staffing requirements in individualized education programs, causes of inadequate staffing, paraprofessional assignments, effects on student learning when paraprofessionals serve as substitute teachers, staffing standards in other states, and costs to school districts.

Task force membership includes: joint standing committee education chairpersons and ranking members, an instructional paraprofessional appointed by the House speaker, a School Paraprofessional Advisory Council representative appointed by the Senate president pro tempore, a special education paraprofessional appointed by the House majority leader, a classroom teacher appointed by the Senate majority leader, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education representative appointed by the House minority leader, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents representative appointed by the Senate minority leader, a school administrator appointed by the Governor, and the Commissioner of Education.

All task force appointments must be made within thirty days of the effective date, with the first meeting held within sixty days.

Task force must submit study findings and legislative recommendations to the joint standing committee on education by January 1, 2015, and terminates upon report submission or January 1, 2015, whichever is later.