E4E-CT Commends Hartford Public Schools and Hartford Federation of Teachers for Special Education Compensation Agreement

Daniel Pearson, Executive Director of Educators for Excellence–Connecticut (E4E-CT), issued the following statement today applauding the new agreement between Hartford Public Schools and the Hartford Federation of Teachers, which provides up to $10,000 in additional compensation for early-career special educators:

“Last month, Hartford sent a powerful message to special educators across the city: We see you, we value you, and we are willing to invest in you. This historic agreement directly confronts the staffing crisis that has left many special education classrooms without a permanent teacher and more than 300 vacant positions statewide.

We commend Superintendent Andraé Townsel and HFT President Carol Gale for demonstrating what collaborative leadership can look like. Hartford’s decision to align compensation with the intensity of special education work puts the district in the company of places like Detroit and Hawaii, where increased pay has proven key to recruiting and retaining educators in high-need roles.

Most importantly, we thank the special educators themselves — those who stayed, and those who raised their voices to demand change. This agreement reflects their advocacy, their perseverance, and the extraordinary work they pour into their students every single day.

This agreement is a critical and strategic first step, but the work doesn’t end here. We would like to see this type of pay increase extended to all special education teachers. However, compensation alone will not solve the retention crisis. To truly make special education a sustainable career, we must transform the role itself. This means reducing administrative burdens, ensuring manageable caseloads, and investing in the paraprofessional support that lets every student get the individualized attention they deserve. Increased pay attracts great educators, but caseload relief, real support, and manageable working conditions are what will keep them. 

Hartford has set a powerful precedent. We are grateful to every educator who spoke up, showed up, and refused to accept the status quo. We hope to see other districts follow their lead. We call on leaders across Connecticut to join us in building on this momentum until every special educator has the compensation, the support, and the working conditions that match the magnitude of what they do.”

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About Educators for Excellence

Educators for Excellence (E4E) is a teacher-led organization that empowers educators to shape the policies that impact their classrooms and communities. Learn more at www.e4e.org.