(a) There is established a task force to address the academic achievement gaps in Connecticut by considering effective approaches to closing the achievement gaps in elementary, middle and high schools. The task force shall develop, in consultation with the Department of Education, the Connecticut State University System, the Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap established pursuant to section 10-16nn, and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, a master plan to eliminate the academic achievement gaps by January 1, 2020. Such master plan shall: (1) Identify the achievement gaps that exist among and between (A) racial groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and (E) English language learners and students whose primary language is English; (2) focus efforts on closing the achievement gaps identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection; (3) establish annual benchmarks for implementation of the master plan and closing the achievement gaps; and (4) make recommendations regarding the creation of a Secretary of Education. The task force may amend such master plan at any time. For purposes of this section, “achievement gaps” means the existence of a significant disparity in the academic performance of students among and between (A) racial groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and (E) English language learners and students whose primary language is English.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:

(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;

(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(7) One appointed by the chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly;

(8) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; and

(9) One appointed by the Governor.

(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.

(d) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than thirty days after July 8, 2011. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after July 8, 2011.

(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.

(g) (1) Not later than January 15, 2013, the task force shall submit the master plan described in subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, and the Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap described in section 10-16nn.

(2) Not later than July 1, 2013, and annually thereafter until January 1, 2020, the task force shall submit progress reports on the implementation of the master plan described in subsection (a) of this section and recommendations for implementing said master plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

(h) The task force shall terminate on January 1, 2020.

(P.A. 11-85, S. 1; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 235; P.A. 14-39, S. 65.)

History: P.A. 11-85 effective July 8, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing “July 1, 2012” with “January 15, 2013” in Subdiv. (1) and replacing “January 1, 2013” with “July 1, 2013” in Subdiv. (2), effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 14-39 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (5) re plan for changing requirement for when a child may enroll in kindergarten and creation of school readiness program spaces, effective July 1, 2014.