CT SB00843

Adds trauma-informed practices for school settings to the list of in-service training topics that the State Board of Education shall assist and encourage local and regional boards of education to include, enabling teachers, administrators and pupil personnel to respond to students with mental, emotional or behavioral health needs.

Requires each local and regional board of education to provide in-service training programs for certified teachers, administrators and pupil personnel on topics including substance abuse prevention, mental health risk reduction, special education, school violence prevention, bullying, CPR, technology, reading instruction, bilingual education, and mandated reporter requirements.

Establishes professional development and evaluation committees in each school district consisting of certified employees and other school personnel to develop comprehensive professional development plans aligned with educational goals and student outcomes.

Authorizes the Department of Education to provide annual institutes for Connecticut educators as model professional development programs, and to fund cooperating teacher programs and professional development institutes in cooperation with regional educational service centers.

Effective October 1, 2015.