Connecticut Receives $4.7 Million Federal Grant to Expand Special Education Workforce Pathways
Press Releases
09/28/2026
(HARTFORD, CT) — The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) today announced that Connecticut has been awarded $4,735,615 over five years through a competitive federal grant to expand career pathways and strengthen workforce readiness for special education teachers and early intervention personnel.
Connecticut was selected for funding through the U.S. Department of Education’s Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships grant program. The five-year award begins in October 2026.
The initiative, Connecticut Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Pathways for Special Education and Early Intervention (T-RAP SPED), will build upon Connecticut’s existing Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program, supported by a $2 million investment from Governor Ned Lamont and the General Assembly. The existing program connects aspiring educators with employment in Connecticut schools, where they can earn a salary while completing the preparation and training needed to earn their teaching certification. The new $4.7 million T-RAP SPED grant will expand that model specifically into high-need special education and early intervention careers.
“Connecticut has been investing in new ways to build our educator workforce, and this federal grant will help us take that work even further,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “By expanding apprenticeship opportunities in special education and early intervention, we can prepare more people for these important careers while making sure our students and families have access to the skilled professionals they need.”
“Every student deserves access to highly skilled educators who understand their strengths, recognize their potential, and provide the individualized support they need to thrive,” Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said. “This investment gives Connecticut another important tool to grow and strengthen our special education workforce while creating meaningful pathways for this important profession.”
The initiative brings together the CSDE, the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) in distinct and complementary roles.
The CTDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship Training (OAT), as the only federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in CT, is responsible for administering Registered Apprenticeship Programs to meet high-quality federal and state standards. The OAT will play a central role in developing and expanding the Registered Apprenticeship pathways supported through the grant. CSDE will lead the education workforce components of the initiative, while OEC will collaborate on the development of Connecticut’s first Registered Apprenticeship Program for early intervention and early childhood special education.
“Registered Apprenticeship Programs are the gold standard in workforce training,” said CTDOL Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo. “This T-RAP SPED initiative will prepare new special education teachers with the tools and skills they need to excel. This grant will provide another pathway to addressing our educator shortage; one that allows participants to earn while they learn. I commend Commissioner Russell-Tucker and her team; we look forward to our continued partnership”
“The dedication, skill, and compassion of early intervention professionals ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very start,” said OEC Commissioner Elena Trueworthy. “By investing in and supporting this workforce, we strengthen not only individual outcomes, but the entire community. Using this grant to continue developing the skillsets of highly qualified early interventionists helps to build the workforce pipeline and provide high-quality services for young children.”
The initiative will focus on three areas:
- Scale special education teacher registered apprenticeships statewide. Connecticut will expand special education-focused pathways through the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program, connecting aspiring special education teachers with employment in schools while they work toward their certification.
- Bolster Connecticut’s first registered apprenticeship pathway for early intervention and early childhood special education. In partnership with the OEC, the initiative will help build the pipeline of specialists and other professionals, using the Early Intervention Specialist (EIS) Credential, to support young children with disabilities and their families.
- Introduce more students to education careers in special education and early intervention. Connecticut will expand its Educators Rising initiative to increase awareness among middle and high school students about careers in special education, early intervention, and related professions, helping build the state’s future educator workforce earlier.
In addition to the state’s $2 million investment in the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program, Connecticut has made several recent investments to strengthen services for students with disabilities and the workforce that supports them.
In July, Governor Lamont and Commissioner Russell-Tucker also launched the Paraeducator Preparation Academy to help aspiring paraeducators prepare for the ParaPathways assessment, receive mentorship, and connect with school districts offering employment. The Academy is supported through a $1 million state investment in the special education training, education, and testing competitive grant program. And in August, Governor Lamont and Commissioner Russell-Tucker announced $10.6 million in state funding through the High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant for 41 programs designed to strengthen in-district and regional services for students with disabilities.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2026
CONTACT INFORMATION
Matthew Cerrone
matthew.cerrone@ct.gov
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