Resource Center
The Resource Center contains all reports and materials created by the School and State Finance Project as well as a wide collection of reports, publications, and data from Connecticut and national sources. All original content produced by the School and State Finance Project is labeled as such. Materials produced by sources outside the organization are labeled accordingly in the title of resource.
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Racial Disparities in Connecticut Education Funding
Sep 17, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
Connecticut's public school districts remain deeply segregated and significant funding gaps continue to exist between districts that predominantly serve students of color and districts that largely serve White student populations. These are two of the overarching findings from this School and State Finance Project report, which examines racial disparities in Connecticut education funding.
FAQs: Federal & State Laws, Regulations, & Guidance for English Learner Education
Aug 5, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
During the 2019-20 school year, 8.3 percent of all Connecticut public school students were identified as English Learners (ELs). Ensuring this growing population of students has full access to appropriate instructional programs and services is critical to helping ELs not only become proficient in English, but achieve at the same level as their English-proficient peers. This frequently asked questions document addresses some of the most common questions regarding federal and state law and guidance on educating ELs.
FAQs: Municipal Aid & Connecticut's FY 2021 Projected Budget Deficit
Jun 9, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
While the Connecticut General Assembly typically passes budget revisions as a part of regular legislative sessions during even-numbered years, the coronavirus pandemic brought the 2020 legislative session, and any budget revisions, to a halt. This frequently asked questions document looks at what this means for the State of Connecticut’s fiscal year 2021 budget and for municipal aid, including Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants.
FAQs: Connecticut Public Education Authority & Responsibilities
Jun 4, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
The State of Connecticut has a constitutional responsibility to provide public elementary and secondary education in the state. In charge of carrying out this responsibility and ensuring the State’s educational interests are met are the Connecticut State Board of Education and Connecticut State Department of Education, along with local education agencies —including local and regional boards of education — that directly provide educational services to the state's elementary and secondary students. This frequently asked questions one-pager looks further into these roles and the entities responsible for Connecticut public education.
Funding for K-12 Education in the CARES Act
Aug 31, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
On March 27, 2020, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion package that provides emergency financial assistance to: individuals; state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations, including healthcare providers; and for-profit businesses. This policy briefing and FAQ document summarize the provisions of the CARES Act that impact elementary and secondary education in the United States, and details the $138.8 million the State of Connecticut is due to receive from the federal government in formulaic grant assistance to help the State and local educational agencies (LEAs) respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
CCJEF v. Rell (2018) (CT Supreme Court Decision)
Jan 17, 2018
In a 4-3 ruling, the Connecticut Supreme Court reversed in part, and affirmed in part, a 2016 ruling from Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher focused on Connecticut's school finance system. The Supreme Court ruled the way Connecticut allocates state education dollars, and how much the State spends on public education, is constitutional and does not violate Article Eighth § 1 of the Connecticut Constitution.
FAQs: Connecticut Regional School Districts
Jan 2, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
This frequently asked questions document by the School and State Finance Project provides information about Connecticut's 17 regional school districts, which educate a combined enrollment of more than 24,00 students. Regional school districts in Connecticut are public school districts created by two or more municipalities to educate their student populations jointly. This FAQ document answers questions about the creation, administration, and funding of Connecticut's regional school districts.
Sheff v. O'Neill Supreme Court Ruling and Subsequent Stipulation Agreements
Jan 10, 2020
In 1996, in a 4-3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled the state had an affirmative obligation to provide Connecticut's school children with a substantially equal educational opportunity and that this constitutionally guaranteed right encompasses the access to a public education, which is not substantially and materially impaired by racial and ethnic isolation. The Court further concluded that school districting, based upon town and city boundary lines, is unconstitutional. As a result of the decision, the Connecticut State Legislature passed legislation in 1997 encouraging voluntary actions toward racial integration. However, since then, there have been a number stipulated agreements between the case's plaintiffs and the State of Connecticut to ensure the Connecticut Supreme Court's ruling is followed.
Mismatch Between Funding & Student Needs in Connecticut
Jul 28, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
This policy briefing details the current mismatch between student needs and per-student spending in Connecticut’s local public school districts, and examines some of the factors that contribute to this mismatch. While the Connecticut General Assembly took significant steps toward fixing the ECS formula during the 2017 legislative special session, work still needs to be done to ensure all students, regardless of need, receive equitable funding and have the same opportunities to succeed in Connecticut’s public schools.
Public School Expenditures Reports (CT State Department of Education)
Aug 7, 2020
School + State Finance Project Original Content
Each year, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) publishes Public School Expenditure Reports. Based on data submitted to the CSDE by each school district through the Education Financial System (EFS), these reports provide information on total district and school spending as well as spending per student.
