Students in almost every grade and demographic performed slightly better on their state assessments this year. But the improvement was small.
Sasha Allen
Sasha is a data reporter with The Connecticut Mirror. She focuses on producing data-driven reporting and data visualizations for the newsroom. Prior to joining CT Mirror, Sasha worked part time for the Herald-Mail, a newspaper based in Western Maryland. As a 2025 graduate from the University of Maryland, she worked as a reporter and copy editor for Capital News Service, the university’s wire service, covering the state legislature, the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse, school board elections, youth mental health and climate change. Sasha also worked as an intern for the Baltimore Magazine, and was a reporter for the Diamondback, the university’s independent, student-run newspaper.
Posted inImmigration
In Danbury, some are hiding from ICE. Others are following them.
Over the past year, members of Danbury Unites for Immigrants have prepared for the kind of worst-case scenario that played out last week.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
More CT residents hold degrees past high school. But where?
The percentage of CT adults with a degree increased from about 42.6% to 47% over 10 years, but some towns still have lower rates.
Posted inImmigration
Danbury residents express fear, anger as ICE arrests escalate
Activists in Danbury shouted at CT officials Wednesday as emotions ran high over dozens of arrests by ICE in the city each day this week.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
Fewer e-cigarette sales in CT, but nicotine use is up
The amount of nicotine Connecticut residents purchase in e-cigarettes has increased, despite fewer unit sales, according to state data.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
Bronin won because of voters young, old and everything in between
Luke Bronin defeated U.S. Rep. John Larson in Tuesday’s 1st Congressional District primary across lines of race, age and income.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
Fewer refugees are entering CT this year, and all are from S. Africa
From November to June, 89 refugees arrived in Connecticut from South Africa and none from other countries, a marked change from past years.
Posted inMoney
Bronin, Larson rake in money for primary. Who’s donating to them?
Wealthy individual donors and political action committees are shaping the four-way Democratic primary for CT’s 1st Congressional District.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Powerful July 4th storms may have broken CT record for largest hail
Hailstorms in Connecticut have become more frequent and widespread over the past 30 years — as have multi-day strings of hot days.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
What are the most popular baby names in Connecticut?
The most popular 2025 baby names in Connecticut — Charlotte and Noah — were among the most popular in the nation.
Posted inEducation
Parents are filing more complaints about special education in CT
Experts say more complaints could point to better familiarity with special education law, and some say parents’ use of AI could play a role.
Posted inImmigration
Hartford immigration court is issuing more removal orders
Hartford’s immigration court has hit a record removal rate in 2026, with judges sending an unprecedented number of people out of the country.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
Wildfires in CT are smaller than in years past, but threats remain
While more regulations and urbanization have brought down the risk of wildfires, increased tree damage and loss in CT compounds the threat.
Posted inPolitics
Amount of public testimony on bills is growing, but who’s writing it?
More than 43,800 pieces of written testimony were submitted during the 2026 legislative session, nearly a 250% increase compared to 2016.
Posted inCharting Connecticut
CT women having fewer babies means school enrollment falling too
Women in Connecticut are having fewer babies, and school enrollment numbers across the state are falling along with the fertility rate.