E.O. Smith High School Receiving Special Education Grant From New State Program

STORRS, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced that the Region 19 school system is among 41 special education programs across Connecticut that are receiving $10.6 million in state grants under the first round of Connecticut's newly established High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant Program.

E.O. Smith High School/Region 19 is getting $81,664 for "programming."

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This competitive grant program, which is administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education, was created by legislation proposed by Governor Lamont and approved by the Connecticut General Assembly (Public Act 25-93). It is intended to help local and regional boards of education build in-district or regional special education services that support students with disabilities and reduce reliance on out-of-district placements.

"It is important that school districts have the resources to support special education programming that allows more students to learn alongside their peers in their own communities," Governor Lamont said. "Over the last several years, special education services have been one of the largest cost drivers for school districts due to the increase in the number of students eligible for special education services and the rapid increase in the cost of those services, particularly for students outplaced in approved special education programs. This increased investment supports our municipalities and our students with special needs."

"Every student deserves access to high-quality learning opportunities that meet their individual needs and foster a strong sense of belonging in their school community," Commissioner Russell-Tucker said. "Through these grants, participating districts will receive additional resources to strengthen their capacity to develop and expand in-district special education programs that ensure students with disabilities have every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive alongside students in their neighborhood schools."

Local and regional boards of education seeking a grant under this round were required to submit applications to the state by July 10, 2026. Under the terms of this competitive grant program, individual district applications were eligible for up to $350,000, while collaborative proposals were eligible for up to $500,000.

The approved grants provide approximately $8.9 million for programmatic costs and $1.7 million for eligible capital improvements. Programmatic funding will support planning and start-up costs, staffing, assistive technology, instructional materials, professional development, and flexible learning models, while capital funding is designated for facilities, renovations, equipment, transportation, and other infrastructure needed to support those programs.

Specific examples for programmatic grant awards include:

• Establishing a new Intensive Learning and Independence Program for Pre-K through Grade 8 students with significant disabilities who require individualized instruction, structured teaching, functional life-skills instruction, and behavioral supports. The program will provide more opportunities for students to learn and participate alongside their peers in their home school.
• Establishing therapeutic social, emotional, and behavioral support programs at two district high schools for students with disabilities to improve attendance and behavior concerns.
• Expanding inclusive co-teaching classrooms, coaching, and professional learning to increase meaningful learning opportunities for students with disabilities in general education settings to reduce out-of-district placements.

Specific examples for combined programmatic and capital improvement awards include:

• Establishing a new community-based Transition Center Education Program for students ages 18 to 22 with disabilities that will return 15 students currently in out-of-district placements to their home community. Grant funding will support construction, rental and equipment costs, instructional materials, and staffing.
• Establishing a new facility for students with emotional disabilities and autism who need additional behavioral and emotional supports, reducing the need for out-of-district placements. The program will serve students from 15 area school districts with grant funding supporting rental costs, construction, staffing, and instructional materials.