Around the State

Cooperative Educational Services (C.E.S.) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Newton as the next Executive Director. Newton brings more than two decades of public education experience. As Superintendent of Schools for East Lyme Public Schools, he oversees district leadership, budgeting, personnel, school safety, facilities, and community engagement while supporting continuous improvement and student success. He was named the 2026 Connecticut Superintendent of th

Governor Ned Lamont visited EASTCONN’s Northeast Learning Center in Danielson for a firsthand look at the Head Start and Early Learning programs supporting children and families. Joined by State Senator Mae Flexer, Governor Lamont was welcomed by EASTCONN leaders, board members, staff, apprentices, and mentors. Children at the center added their own welcome, decorating a “Welcome Governor Lamont” sign to greet him upon his arrival. During a tour of the facility, Governor

CREC, EdAdvance, Education leaders, state officials, and partners in Hartford to recognize the five-year anniversary of Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) and celebrate progress in reducing chronic absenteeism and student disengagement across the state. Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, and Attendance Works President & CEO Hedy Chang were in atte

The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) is proud to announce it has been granted national accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at both the initial-licensure and advanced levels, recognizing CREC’s excellence in educator preparation and commitment to rigorous national standards. The accreditation decision was granted following review by the CAEP Accreditation Council in April 2026. CAEP is a unified accreditation system intent o

EASTCONN, the Regional Educational Service Center serving northeastern Connecticut, has been awarded a fiscal year 2026 Farm to School Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The $116,858 grant will fund the creation of a centralized production kitchen at EASTCONN’s Bridges Community School campus in Columbia, enabling EASTCONN’s Food Services program to source, prepare, and distribute fresh, locally grown meals to students across its partner school districts. The t

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) proudly announces that Dr. Frank LaBanca, Principal of ACES Chase Academy, has been named Magnet Schools of America (MSA) National Principal of the Year, and Marsha Perry, Grade 7 Language Teacher and Team Leader, has been named MSA National Teacher of the Year. These prestigious national honors were presented at the Magnet Schools of America National Conference in San Diego, where educators and leaders from across the country gath

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is releasing $2,461,057 million in state funding to two regional education service centers to help in the improvement of public education through the coordination of high-quality, cost-effective programs and services. The funds are being released through Connecticut’s Regional Performance Incentive Program, which provides grants to regional councils of governments and regional education service centers that coordinate functions and

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is proud to welcome Lily, a highly trained facility dog donated by the nonprofit organization Puppies Behind Bars, to support students and staff at ACES Village School. Lily joins ACES’ beloved facility dog Heidi, expanding the agency’s commitment to student wellness, emotional support, and safe learning environments. Lily will work daily at ACES Village School alongside her handler, Village School social worker Kim Roche, providin

The Connecticut Teacher Residency Program (CT TRP) is pleased to announce a new articulation agreement with Quinnipiac University that creates a streamlined pathway for CT TRP graduates to earn a fully online Master of Science in Special Education. Under the agreement, Quinnipiac University will honor 12 graduate credits earned through CT TRP coursework. Program completers will complete the remaining 18 credits through Quinnipiac University to earn the master’s degree. The pa