Editor’s Note: Julia Oas prepared the following research brief (unabridged version) with the Center for Education Policy Analysis, Research, and Evaluation (CEPARE). The full brief examines public school staffing trends in Connecticut schools for administrators, general education teachers, and special education teachers between 2010-11 and 2022-23. Below is an executive summary.
Connecticut public school districts devote considerable effort to staffing their schools. This requires meeting the needs of changing student populations, adjusting to district- and school-level requirements, and adapting to widespread socially and economically impactful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Districts must weigh complex factors in staffing decisions, considering skills and qualifications of each administrator, teacher, and staff member. At a more basic level, the number of personnel filling staff positions can greatly impact school districts’ quality and capabilities.