by Karla Ciaglo CTNewsJunkie
NEW BRITAIN, CT – State officials, educators, and lawmakers gathered on Monday morning at New Britain High School to commemorate National IEP Writing Day, while also addressing the growing challenges facing special education systems across Connecticut.
For more than 90,000 students statewide – including 22% of students in New Britain and one in five across Connecticut – an Individualized Education Program is a legally mandated road map that defines how schools will meet each student’s unique learning needs. These personalized plans are developed by teams of educators, families, and specialists and are essential to ensuring students with disabilities receive equitable support to thrive.
Aimee Turner, president of the Connecticut Council of Administrators of Special Education, shared that the upcoming 50th anniversary of the IEP, first established by federal law in 1975, will take place in November.
“The IEP is the cornerstone of inclusion and opportunity for students with disabilities from age 3 to 22,” Turner said, while thanking special educators and administrators.
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who hosted the event, noted that writing an IEP is a huge task.
“It often takes hours and involves an entire learning team. Teachers and staff across the state dedicate themselves every day to supporting these students,” she said.
Bysiewicz noted that rising needs and tighter budgets are putting additional pressure on school districts. “That’s why we recently delivered $40 million in emergency funding to help municipalities manage special education costs,” she said. “Connecticut is committed to ensuring our districts have the tools and resources to meet this challenge head-on.”
She also emphasized the connection between early childhood education and reduced special education needs. “High-quality early childhood education for kids ages 3 to 5 reduces the need for special education by 56%, increases high school graduation rates, boosts lifetime earning potential, and lowers arrest rates,” Bysiewicz said. “It’s why the Governor and I are laser-focused on expanding access to early education.”
Sinthia Sone-Moyano, deputy commissioner for Educational Supports and Wellness, outlined the state’s ongoing efforts to improve IEP development and student outcomes.
“In July 2022, after three years of stakeholder input, the CSDE [CT State Department of Education] launched a new IEP document system to improve quality, align goals with grade-level standards, and make IEPs more accessible to families and educators,” she said.
Since then, over 6,200 educators and parents have received training in high-quality IEP development, including regional, district-level, and asynchronous programs. The state has also received a $5.9 million, five-year, state personnel development grant to expand this work through 2028.
To address the financial burden on districts, Sone-Moyano detailed a four-pronged strategy:
- A special education rate-setting study in partnership with the University of Connecticut, which is nearing finalization.
- A $40 million increase to the excess cost grant to help districts cover high-cost placements.
- A $14 million competitive grant, including $10 million for inclusive programming and $4 million for facility improvements.
- Clarifying local education agency responsibilities for students in Open Choice programs and updating eligibility tools to improve timeliness and accuracy in support delivery.
“Every student with a disability deserves a classroom that opens doors and offers opportunities,” Sone-Moyano said. “This isn’t just about policy; it’s about a commitment to ensure that all students are seen, supported, and set up for success.”
Tony Gaspar, superintendent of schools for the Consolidated School District of New Britain, and Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull, speak at New Britain High School on National IEP Writing Day on April 14, 2025
New Britain Superintendent of Schools Tony Gasper paised the state’s efforts but warned that the need – in both volume and intensity – continues to grow.
“We’re a district that already offers broad and ample in-district services for the students who have the most substantial need … for students with autism, behavioral needs, Down syndrome, and students who have medical fragility,” Gasper said. “Despite these ample in-district programs, we still do need to place a number of students in an out-placement setting.”
Gasper stated that the New Britain School district is anticipating a $3 million increase in out-placement costs despite the district’s best efforts to serve students at home.
“As a superintendent, I believe it’s time for a more kind of foundational discussion on how we best serve these students,” he said “Bringing these conversations to fruition will be critical to keeping these services sustainable for the kids of New Britain and the kids of Connecticut.”
Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at New Britain High School on April 14, 2025
Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull, co-chair of the legislature’s newly created Special Education Committee, said the issue has reached a critical point.
“We’re facing a crisis, not just with rising costs but with workload, burdens, and shortage of teachers,” she said, “This is an issue that impacts every district in Connecticut.”
Gadkar-Wilcox detailed how the Special Education Committee launched listening sessions around the state to hear directly from advocates, superintendent groups, and boards of education to best understand the issues and needs arising in the state. She said a public hearing is scheduled for April 21, at which concepts that have surfaced will be up for discussion before they go to the committee.
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