To assist with district planning, we are releasing “save-the-date” information for the 2022-2023 CSDE/SERC Training Series.  Please note, all dates are tentative and contingent on funding.  Educators, including department and curriculum coordinators, and administrators, who will be implementing the course next year are invited to participate.  All sessions are planned to be virtual and at no cost to districts with the exception of release time/substitute coverage.  Each cadre will be capped at 50 schools/150 registrants to serve the anticipated number of new schools participating.  Additional staff from schools currently participating in the 2021-2022 Training Series will be added, as space permits.  It is suggested schools save the dates for each Cadre until registration is made available, and Cadre selection is confirmed.  As this training is organized as a professional learning community, it is suggested that staff from the same school/district attend the same training.  Given this advance notice, switching between Cadres to accommodate schedules will not be permitted.  Please contact Heather Dawes, Project Specialist, SERC at dawes@ctserc.org with any questions you may have.

Please note: there was an error in the originally posted March 2023 dates. Corrected dates are shown.

The CSDE/SERC Team members were  invited to share information regarding course implementation at the virtual RESC Alliance Curriculum Council meeting held in January.  There were approximately 140 Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, and Directors of Special Education in attendance representing districts across the state.  Session materials can be found here, and documentation of questions and answers will be posted soon for future reference.

Please note the new date: March 3rd, 2022

Implementation Planning for CT’s African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies –
January 7^th, 2022,
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., WorkspaceCT, Bethel

Register here: https://ed-advance-school-services-teaching-and-learning.coursestorm.com/course/implementation-planning-for-ct-s-african-american-black-and-puerto-rican-latino-course-of-studies/630713c2418411ec8a8e0aeb125e2285

There is no charge for this course thanks to support from the Litchfield County and Western Connecticut Superintendent’s Associations.

In this all day session, representatives from the CSDE and SERC Team, who organized the development of the African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies, will outline the genesis for the course, goals and structure of its curriculum, as well as review specific implementation strategies.  This presentation will be followed by a facilitated dialogue with former CT Interim Commissioner of Education, Dr. George A. Coleman and Ms. Esther Bobowick, longtime professional learning director at Cooperative Educational Services (CES) in Trumbull, who will offer practical suggestions for school leaders responsible for offering this course, including how to support and navigate resistance regarding cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This part of the session will also feature reflections from teachers and students who have been involved in the initial implementation of the course during the 2021-2022 school year. The audience for this session should include district and school level administrators, Board of Education members, and high school staff who will likely be involved in the implementation of this mandated course offering, including department chairs, teachers, and school counselors.    

Update: A Round 2 of this Request for Proposals is being offered.

SERC RFP Number:  BL072021A
State Education Resource Center (SERC)
Contact Person: Michelle LeBrun-Griffin (griffin@ctserc.org)

On June 23, 2021, CT PA 21-2 identified SERC as the lead organization for coordination and provision of professional learning and implementation support for CT’s African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Course of Studies.

SERC is seeking competitive proposals from qualified and interested organizations or individuals with proven expertise and experience in one or more of the following at the high school level:  curriculum evaluation, content, pedagogy, instructional coaching, networking, and resource development.

For more information, including Proposal Requirements, Instructions, and Dates, download the updated RFP here.

The Training Schedule has been updated with Registration Links for selected sessions. Read more: