Raised Bill No. 5439 Summary

• Substitute teacher qualifications changed effective July 1, 2020: require associate degree for assignments over 10 school days or high school diploma for assignments of 10 or fewer days, replacing former bachelor's degree requirement.

• High school graduation requirements beginning with the class of 2023 require minimum 25 credits including 9 humanities, 9 STEM, 1 physical education, 1 health education, 1 world language, and 1 mastery-based diploma assessment.

• School enrollment age eligibility changed to children who reach age 5 on or before January 1, removing discrimination protections to now explicitly include "disability" and "sexual orientation."

• Establishes School Paraeducator Advisory Council to study minimum employment standards, safety issues, substitute duties, and career pathway programs for paraeducators; due January 1, 2021.

• Creates Connecticut Achievement and Resource Equity in Schools Commission to develop strategic plan for state education funding formula addressing equity, fairness, unequal local tax burdens, and segregation; requires report by April 1, 2021.

• Requires emergency action plans for schools responding to serious sports injuries during athletic events, including procedures for cardiac/respiratory emergencies, concussions, and traumatic injuries, with annual review.