Bill would set standards for next education commissioner

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Some Connecticut lawmakers want to create job qualifications for the next state education commissioner.

A bill that cleared the House of Representatives on a 138-5 vote Thursday would require the next commissioner to have at least a master’s degree in an education-related field. Candidates also would need at least five years of experience as a teacher and three years as a school administrator.

Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, co-chairman of the legislature’s Education Committee, said Connecticut is one of four states that lack qualifications for the education chief. He called it “inappropriate” that Connecticut has no guidelines whatsoever.

Rep. Gail Lavielle welcomed the legislation. She said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s recent choice for education commissioner, Dianna Wentzell, meets the qualifications set in the bill.

The legislation now awaits action in the Senate.