Recent violence across the nation, including the mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket, underscores that dismantling systemic racism is not an academic abstraction or a choice. It is an obligation right in front of us, not only as staff of the State Education Resource Center but within our duty as educators, citizens of this nation, members of the global community, and human beings. Buffalo in 2022, like Charleston in 2015 and Tulsa in 1921 and every senseless incident past and present that ends innocent Black lives, is not one more isolated tragedy; this happens again and again and again because racism is a systemic threat woven into the nation’s story. We wish we could end all hate, but we can meet our responsibility to respond to it the best way we know how: educating to build understanding and empowerment, centering the voices of our brothers and sisters who regularly feel left out or targeted for who they are, and confronting the oppression that would silence them. When we offer platitudes of sympathy but deny that it was systemic racism that deliberately brought terror to a routine day, we tolerate more violence and yet another period of mourning. Instead, we must continue to strengthen our resolve on behalf of all who came before and for those we mourn today. Their beautiful lives, the pain of those they left behind, the trauma of the witnesses, and the fear in so many of our communities demand we fight unequivocally against white supremacy, white nationalism, anti-Blackness, and racism in all of its forms. SERC needs and welcomes partners in this fight.

The following documents were disseminated in support of the Building Capacity and Establishing Sustainable Supports Summit, the IDEA Part B FY 23 Subgrantee Application Updates trainings, and the IDEA Grant Training for new Directors of Special Education Training, held in Fall 2021 and Winter 2022.

• Day 1 Summit presentation powerpoint
• Day 2 Summit presentation powerpoint
• Brainstorming Compilation
• Final Goal Setting Worksheet
• Final LEA Goal and Source Timeline Worksheet
• Summit Q&A Document
• New Director IDEA Grant Training
• FY23 IDEA Part B: changes and explanations Training

Contact CT State Department of Education Consultant Thomas Boudreau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with any questions.

Update, February 25:
The Request for Proposals (RFP #ELFEB2022A): To Provide Professional Learning to Educators and Educational Leaders of Color through the Convening of Affinity Groups is awarded to RE-Center: Race & Equity in Education.

Update, Feb 15: answers to submitted questions have been posted. Scroll down to view.

The SERC Foundation is seeking competitive proposals from qualified and interested organizations with proven expertise and experience in providing professional development, support, and networking opportunities for educators and educational leaders of color in six specific partner school districts to promote growth, development, and sustainability, specifically through the convening of affinity groups. The purpose of the affinity groups is to provide a space for educators of color to connect, share experiences and best practices, and have their voices heard. Successful proposals would provide opportunities for connection and empowerment through an ongoing professional learning experience for educators of color.
Partner districts are those that have engaged with the SERC Foundation in professional learning and capacity building to support, promote, and develop racial equity in education. The partner districts are New Haven, Middletown, New London, Waterbury, New Britain, and Southington.

Components and Deliverables

For more information including Relevant Dates, Minimum Qualifications, Proposal Requirements, and Contact information, download the Request for Proposals Document (PDF)
(note: this RFP document was amended on February 10)

UPDATE, February 15: Answers to submitted questions