We at SERC join our state in grieving the passing of State Representative Quentin “Q” Williams. He was an incredibly caring man—intelligent, funny, and charismatic, and so easy to talk with about anything. If you had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Q, as many of us did, he always remembered the details about everyone. And that smile filled a room—you couldn't help but smile back when you were around him.

Because of Representative Williams, the Stamford Charter School for Excellence has served an unusually diverse population of families. In our work together, in trainings for parents over the last few years that included many non-English speakers, Q understood what the families and students needed. He cared and made them feel like they belong, and his eyes would light up every time a parent would thank him for their learning.

Q left a prominent legacy for all the lives he touched throughout the state and in his own hometown of Middletown. He was a steady figure in the schools, very attentive to the educational needs of the Middletown community, and a steadfast supporter of the teachers.

Our thoughts go to his family, friends and colleagues at this incalculable loss.

Save the Date: Friday, May 5th, 2023
Connecticut Convention Center
Hartford, CT

Call for Proposals are being accepted now!
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: JANUARY 31, 2023

The 7th conference on Dismantling Systemic Racism, sponsored by the State Education Resource Center (SERC), in collaboration with the SERC Foundation, Inc., focuses on ways to support, promote, and develop racial equity in education. The conference supports educators, families, and community leaders to better serve Connecticut’s students and their families, through advocacy and the development, implementation, and sustainability of innovative, culturally relevant programming. In order to eliminate racially disparate outcomes, the focus is on all students, but particularly Black and Brown students, as well as multilingual students and students with disabilities.

To learn more and submit your application, please visit:
https://serc.info/dsr2023presenters

For additional information regarding the conference or the proposal process, contact Heather Dawes, Project Specialist, at SERC, (860) 632-1485, ext. 263, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SERC RFP Number: EASIERATSME122022
State Education Resource Center (SERC)
Contact Person: Michelle Weaver, General Counsel, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Overview and Purpose

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) need helpful resources that will have an immediate impact to address delayed, interrupted, suspended, or inaccessible learning opportunities and provide Individualized Education Program (IEP) supports through educational recovery for students with and without disabilities due to the COVID-19 disruptions.

Many educational recovery initiatives have already been funded with one-time federal and state resources and have helped develop supports for all students, which includes access to educational technology (Ed Tech) through high-tech devices (laptop, computer, personal device, tablet, etc.). Ensuring that high-tech devices are user friendly, school ready, and aligned with a student’s needs is as critical as access to the device(s) themselves.

One approach that aligns and gives students an immediate impact and potential educational gain/recovery is through the calculated use of educational applications (Apps) associated with Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Material (AEM). AT is considered on a continuum from low to high technology, with the educational team process and administrative support, the introduction of AT Services with initial guidance and prescriptive support, will give opportunities for learning growth within the context of the LEA’s programs/systems.

A new statewide website is being developed to provide information and resources for users of high-tech devices in both the General and Special Education areas. This RFP is for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to author a comprehensive set of resources in the areas of Assistive Technology and Accessible Educational Materials in Connecticut. These resources will be available to help users from diverse backgrounds (including but not limited to parents, family members, school-based personnel) understand the basics of Assistive Technology, including regulations, guidelines, and best practices.

Proposal Schedule (Eastern Time)

For more information including deliverables and proposal submission instructions, download the full Request for Proposals

The State Education Resource Center (SERC) is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. SERC does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws. SERC does not unlawfully discriminate in employment against qualified persons with a prior criminal conviction. Inquiries regarding SERC’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to:

Michelle Weaver
General Counsel, SERC
100 Roscommon Drive,
Suite 110
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 632-1485, ext. 364
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.