The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.


Erin D. Benham was reappointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education by Governor Ned Lamont in January 2023 and serves as the state board’s vice chair. She also chairs the board’s accountability and support committee, and is a member of the academic standards and assessment committee.

In June 2020, Ms. Benham was appointed to the State Education Resource Center Board (SERC). She taught in Meriden Public Schools for 36 years and is the retired president of the Meriden Federation of Teachers and executive committee vice president of AFT Connecticut. She also serves on the board of directors for The Sisters’ Project, the Connecticut RISE Network and the Connecticut Fund For Teachers Advisory Board. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph College and a master’s degree and educational leadership degree from Southern Connecticut State University.






Featured Items

Piggy bank wear mortarboard and green calculator on wooden table with white wall background copy space. Private student loan, student debt, repayment plan, expense , money management, scholarship and so on concept i

Advancing High Schoolers’ Financial Literacy

Forty-one states now require personal finance education for graduation. This analysis examines state financial literacy approaches and key drivers for success.
Close up of a little girl looking at some futuristic holograms. Concept: Technology, future, graphics i

Five Questions for State Boards to Ask about AI in Schools

GenAI is creating tremendous opportunities but also posing considerable risks and challenges for schools.
Diverse multiethnic kids students having break and using smartphones, sitting at desks in classroom, children playing games and checking social media at school i

Curbing Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

State boards are well positioned to create guardrails to help school districts make informed decisions on cell phone policies.

Upcoming Events

From the States