Jessika Harkay

Jessika Harkay is CT Mirror’s Education Reporter, covering the K-12 achievement gap, education funding, curriculum, mental health, school safety, inequity and other education topics. Jessika's experience includes roles as a breaking news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Hartford Courant. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Baylor University.

jharkay@ctmirror.org

Estudiantes de Segundo Grado decoraron una varita mágica y anteojos de Harry Potter como premio por la alta tasa de asistencia en la Escuela Primaria Smith, en New Britain. En un esfuerzo por ayudar a los estudiantes a participar en las actividades escolares y aumentar la tasa de asistencia, el enlace familiar y escolar, Emil Sirois tuvo la idea de brindar una actividad divertida con el tema de Harry Potter a una clase con la tasa de asistencia más alta cada mes.

El ausentismo crónico de los estudiantes sigue aumentando en Connecticut

by Jessika Harkay February 3, 2023 @ 2:53 pmFebruary 3, 2023 @ 2:53 pm

El absentismo crónico en Connecticut se mantiene en niveles altos este año y está creciendo entre los estudiantes sin altas necesidades.

An overhead view of the lobby of the Connecticut Legislative Office Building, where a few dozen people have congregated.

Should grocery stores sell wine in Connecticut? Public hearing goes 6 hours

by Jessika Harkay February 2, 2023 @ 5:23 pmFebruary 2, 2023 @ 5:23 pm

Supporters of CT grocery stores selling cider and wine said current laws are outdated. Opponents argued the bill would hurt local business owners.

School spending to come under scrutiny, Democrats say

by Jessika Harkay January 31, 2023 @ 5:30 pmFebruary 5, 2023 @ 1:50 pm

Senate Democratic leaders said they plan to look more closely at how K-12 schools spend money and reassess how school funding is calculated.

Chronic absenteeism continues to rise in CT

by Jessika Harkay January 27, 2023 @ 2:14 pmFebruary 3, 2023 @ 2:55 pm

Chronic absenteeism in Connecticut remains at high levels this year and is growing among students without high needs.

Measure offers ‘bill of rights’ for English language learners’ parents

by Jessika Harkay January 26, 2023 @ 7:30 amFebruary 2, 2023 @ 11:36 am

CT lawmakers say they are fighting for parents who don’t speak English and struggle to participate in their children’s education.

Rep. Jeff Currey, who serves as the chair of the Education Committee, was joined by Rep. Kathleen McCarty and members of the Connecticut Education Association Tuesday morning. The group spoke about prioritizing solutions toward teacher shortages, student mental health and funding throughout Connecticut school districts.

Legislators expected to focus on children’s mental health

by Ginny Monk and Jessika Harkay January 11, 2023 @ 4:46 pmJanuary 11, 2023 @ 5:24 pm

CT lawmakers plan to focus on mental health and other issues including more support for educators and preventing sex crimes against children.