ConnCAN’s first annual “Tip of the Cap” award recognizes Connecticut state legislators who fight in pursuit of great public schools for every Connecticut child. These legislators led education reforms from within the rank-and-file, spoke out for what’s right for Connecticut's students, and prioritized public school reform. ConnCAN congratulates them on their leadership, vision, and courage with a tip of our proverbial graduation cap.

Meet this year's Tip of the Cap recipients:

Rep. Jason Bartlett (D-Bethel/Danbury)    

Rep. Bartlett emerged as a leader in education reform through the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. He incorporated strong language on teacher evaluations and alternative pathways to principal certification into the Caucus’s omnibus Achievement Gap bill, and fought to preserve it until it was ultimately moved into the Race to the Top bill. His public statements underscore the need for policy change to close the achievement gap, and he is not afraid to call on others to work for change rather than the status quo. As a co-sponsor of the Race to the Top bill, Rep. Bartlett demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that Connecticut does right by our children and our society.

Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Westport/Wilton) 

As a minority member of the Education Committee, Sen. Boucher is fearless in asking questions and speaking up for reform. She prioritizes education and, in partnership with other Senate Republicans, waged a debate about the Race to the Top bill on the Senate floor. Sen. Boucher wanted to ensure not only that the bill would be strong enough to win federal Race to the Top funding, but also, and more importantly, that it would make real change for Connecticut public schools. She was instrumental in introducing stronger language into that bill, and supported efforts to engage constituents during a hearing on “Money Follows the Child,” a commonsense funding system for public schools.

Rep. Tony Hwang (R-Trumbull/Fairfield) 

As a freshman, Rep. Hwang demonstrated an impressive work ethic and dedication to learning all there is to know about the state of education in Connecticut and what can be done to improve it. Rep. Hwang stands out as the only member of the House Minority caucus to vote in favor of the Race to the Top bill’s content when it was included as an amendment to another bill. His dedication and commitment to improving outcomes for students permeates all of his work in the General Assembly. 

Rep. Christopher Lyddy (D-Newtown) 

Rep. Lyddy, a freshman in the House, is already a respected member of the Education Committee because of his thoughtfulness and dedication to improving public school policy. He co-sponsored strongly worded bills that were eventually rolled into the Race to the Top bill, and threw his support behind the final bill, speaking in favor of it on the House floor. He was instrumental in educating other members of the legislature about Race to the Top and other pressing education issues. He is emerging as a leader on education reform, and is making it a focus of his time in office.

Rep. Douglas McCrory (D-Hartford) 

As vice principal of an urban high school, Rep. McCrory experiences the effects of education policy every day and brings this unique perspective to the Education Committee. He often provides on-the-ground insight during Education Committee debates, and clarifies confusion with thoughtfulness and conviction. He was the representative from the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus in the Race to the Top working group convened by the Education Committee chairs, and stood up for strong reforms throughout this negotiation. As a leading voice in support of the idea of a “Money Follows the Child” school funding system, Rep. McCrory consistently highlighted the injustice of the achievement gap, and is dedicated to finding ways to close it.

Please note: ConnCAN (The Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now) is a nonpartisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.