Associate Education Consultant

and the job listing Expires on March 7, 2026

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is accepting applications for an Associate Education Consultant to serve as the CSDE liaison for the Open Choice program in the Greater Hartford Region and statewide through the Office of Strategic Planning and Partnership (OSPP) in Hartford.

The Associate Education Consultant position fills a critical responsibility in the school choice system by supporting implementation of key terms of the final agreement in the Sheff v. O’Neill litigation, known as the Comprehensive School Choice Plan (CCP), and ensuring participating local school districts receive consistent, specialized expertise to address the academic and social-emotional needs of diverse student populations.

The position will support districts with:

• Developing and implementing CCP-aligned outreach, enrollment, and capacity-building strategies;
• Ensuring compliance with CCP requirements; and
• Strengthening statewide efforts to expand equitable access and participation in the Open Choice program and other interdistrict school choice options.

Through this work, the position helps promote integrated educational opportunities, enhance program visibility, and support long‑term planning necessary to increase student success and foster positive school climates.

Position duties will include:

• Interpreting and implementing Open Choice and other school choice legislation, policies, and CCP requirements, and providing guidance to school and district administrators.
• Coordinating Open Choice initiatives among Open Choice administrators and Open Choice districts to support enrollment, grant management, program implementation, and CCP‑aligned outreach and engagement.
• Monitoring Open Choice enrollment for trends, compliance with court orders and stipulations, and alignment with CCP goals for access, participation, and diversity.
• Providing technical assistance to districts on program implementation, grant utilization, family engagement, and strategies to promote equitable participation and positive school climate in interdistrict school choice opportunities.
• Overseeing school choice grants that support academic, social‑emotional, and programmatic needs of Connecticut students, ensuring alignment with CCP expectations and state laws.
• Collaborating with districts and state agencies on construction and capacity initiatives that expand access to Open Choice opportunities and meet regional needs identified through the CCP.
• Supporting school leaders in improving school climate, and fostering supportive learning environments through interdistrict opportunities.
• Conducting stakeholder outreach, including families, community partners, and local school districts, to increase awareness of and participation in Open Choice opportunities and other interdistrict school choice options.
• Supporting development and implementation of academic, enrichment, and summer programming initiatives that enhance educational opportunity and align with CCP goals.
• Providing CCP‑aligned oversight and support for district‑level planning, implementation monitoring, and reporting requirements.
• Analyzing data related to enrollment, capacity, transportation, and student support to inform planning, compliance, and program improvement.

The ideal candidate possesses excellent communication and project management skills, has experience interpreting and applying state and federal education laws, and has extensive experience in grant management.

An earned advanced degree and five (5) years of professional experience OR in lieu thereof an equivalent combination of experience and training as approved by the appropriate Board and/or appointing authority.

• Experience with school choice or interdistrict programs for K-12.
• Experience managing educational grants and program requirements.
• Experience analyzing data sets in Excel and Access for reporting compliance.
• Experience implementing school desegregation plans or statewide school choice initiatives.
• Experience evaluating educational programs for Academic Accountability and School Climate.
• Experience interpreting and implementing education legislation.