One Person Can Make a Difference

One Person Can Make a Difference By Vincent J. Candelora

At times, legislation can have unintended consequences.  One year ago the legislature passed a law requiring that substitute teachers have bachelor degrees and eliminated the ability for the State Board of Education to grant a waiver.  While I believe the bill intended to set a uniform standard for all substitute teachers, it had a draconian result by precluding people with associate’s degrees from being substitute teachers.  When the law changed, a North Branford resident brought this issue to my attention. The main problem with requiring substitute teachers to have bachelor degrees is that individuals who become certified paraprofessionals in the classroom do not need the degree.  Thus, if a teacher is absent from the classroom or an emergency necessitates a substitute, the school potentially is foreclosed from tapping the assistance of a paraprofessional who is already in the classroom to fill in.  This person likely is the best suited substitute. As a result of this resident’s complaint, I created a proposal, which became Senate Bill 933.  I submitted written testimony and presented the arguments at a public hearing before the Education Committee in February.  In March, the committee voted favorably on the bill.  A month later, the bill passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on June 3, 2011.  Public Act 11-27 provides the education commissioner authority to waive a statutory requirement that substitute teachers employed by local and regional boards of education have a bachelor's degree at the request of a school superintendent. I write this story because Public Act 11-27 represents how our democratic process can work from the ground up.  As a state representative, I not only represent the district in the budget process, but also in bringing concepts to the General Assembly to consider.  One person can make a difference.  By bringing issues or concerns to my attention, we can begin a process.  It doesn’t necessarily take petitions, a lot of fanfare, public outcry, or a lot of time.  In this situation, it took one conversation and a letter to get the ball rolling, and in this case, common sense prevailed.  I can’t say the process runs this smooth every time, but it certainly is rewarding when it does. Contact me at  www.cthousegop.com or 1-800-842-1423.