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Connecticut Declines New Federal Title VI Certification Request

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Connecticut Declines New Federal Title VI Certification Request


CONNECTICUT — State education officials have reaffirmed the state’s commitment to civil rights protections while declining to sign a newly issued federal Title VI certification form, arguing that the state already complies fully with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and continues to receive federal education funds under existing assurances.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education dated April 15, Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker wrote that Connecticut “remains committed to safeguarding Connecticut students against the insidious effects of discrimination” and that the state has consistently certified its compliance with Title VI through federally accepted procedures.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights had issued a “Reminder of Legal Obligations” to state education departments on April 3, requesting that states sign and return a new compliance certification form within 10 days. The request also asked for reports on the signature status of local districts and any compliance or enforcement actions under consideration.

Connecticut’s response stated that no additional certification was necessary, as the state has long met federal obligations through required annual assurances and the approved Consolidated State Plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

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The reminder also raised concerns about the legality of some diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, though it did not define what constitutes a noncompliant practice. In its response, Connecticut challenged the ambiguity of the DEI references and defended the use of such initiatives, noting that “the USDOE itself has long supported these important principles.”

Russell-Tucker emphasized that Connecticut’s 508,000 students are served by programs that align with federal antidiscrimination laws and highlighted initiatives like the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) to reduce absenteeism and expand opportunity.

The state joins a growing list of jurisdictions pushing back on recent federal inquiries into civil rights compliance. In March, California’s Department of Education similarly declined to adopt the new certification form, citing legal concerns and long-standing adherence to Title VI requirements. New York and Illinois also expressed hesitation, requesting further clarification on how the new form would be used and enforced.

Connecticut officials said they would continue to support inclusive educational environments and meet federal civil rights standards without adopting new or duplicative reporting frameworks.



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Hartford Women’s Track & Field Competes at Connecticut College Over the Weekend – University of Hartford Athletics

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Hartford Women’s Track & Field Competes at Connecticut College Over the Weekend – University of Hartford Athletics


NEW LONDON, Conn. – On Friday and Saturday, the University of Hartford women’s indoor track & field team competed in the Silfen Invitational hosted by Connecticut College. 

Rapid Recap:

  • Graduate student Kayla Pelletier (Southington, Conn.) continued to impress finishing in first in the javelin throw at a distance of 43.73 meters. 
  • Senior Destinee Majett (Brick Township, N.J. ) won the hammer throw hitting 49.15 meters. 
  • Senior Madison DiPasquale (Wallingford, Conn.) would pick up gold in both the shot put and the discus throw. In shot put she hit 11.86 meters. In discus DiPasquale threw 37.67 meters. 
  • Sophomore Tamara Greene (Hartford, Conn.) added a silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles at a time of 14.80.
  • Junior Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.) would win the heptathlon event scoring 4593. Freshman Emily Breau (Meriden, Conn.) would come in second with a 3722 score. 
  • Freshman Caroline McGinnis (Windsor Locks, Conn.) was third in the triple jump at a distance of 10.59 meters.
  • Freshman Jaya Pichay (South Windsor, Conn.) would come in 2nd in the 200 meter at a time of 26.00.  

Full Results

Up Next: 

The Hawks will head to Storrs to compete in the University of Connecticut Multi Meet on April 17th and 18th. 

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For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.





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WNBA Free Agency: Grading Brittney Griner to Connecticut

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WNBA Free Agency: Grading Brittney Griner to Connecticut


After the Atlanta Dream made the move to bring Angel Reese in from Chicago, many people wondered what Brittney Griner’s future would look like. The All-Star center moved from Phoenix to Atlanta in 2025 for a new opportunity, and was a big a part of the overhauled team that ended the regular season as the three-seed. Yet, with Brionna Jones and now Reese leading their frontcourt, Griner’s role was about to be significantly reduced.

She’ll now make the move to the Connecticut Sun, joining the franchise for their last season in New England before they make the move to Houston.



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Brittney Griner signs with Connecticut Sun in huge payday

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Brittney Griner signs with Connecticut Sun in huge payday


The Connecticut Sun are making a big splash for their final season.

The team has agreed to a seven-figure contract to bring in Britney Griner, according to Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby.

Griner, a nine-time WNBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer, is one of the most decorated players in the history of the league and will be playing in her 13th season since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013.

The deal also comes after the WNBA introduced its new collective bargaining agreement, which will — among many other advances — raise players’ salaries, making a select group of them millionaires for the first time since the league’s inception.

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Brittney Griner spent last season with the Atlanta Dream. Getty Images

The move comes one day following Jackie Young’s reported one-year, $1.19 million agreement to return to the Las Vegas Aces.

Griner, who spent last season with the Atlanta Dream, turned 35 this past October, was a standout on what was a surprising run to the league’s No. 3 seed, with the team finishing 30-14.

The 6-foot-9 center started in her first 25 appearances before being moved to an off-the-bench role.

The Baylor alum came off the bench for her final 14 regular-season showings and all three Dream playoff games.

Brittney Griner won a WNBA title with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014. Getty Images

The Dream were eliminated by the Caitlin Clark-less Indiana Fever in the first round after opening with a 17-point win in Game 1.

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Griner finished the 2025 season with career lows of 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Griner spent her first 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, establishing herself as one of the best players in league history, starring on the 2014 WNBA Champion team, also led by Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner.

Brittney Griner poses with her third Olympic Gold Medal in 2024. Getty Images

The six-time All-WNBA honoree is also a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, having played for Team USA in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Summer Games, with two World Cup titles in 2014 and 2018.

She was also named to the W25, a list honoring the WNBA’s top 25 players of all time in celebration of the league’s 25th anniversary in 2021.

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