Resource Center
The Resource Center contains all reports and materials created by the Connecticut School Finance Project as well as a wide collection of reports, publications, and data from Connecticut and national sources. All original content produced by the Connecticut School 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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ECS Grants for FYs 2020 and 2021 with Comparisons to FY 2019 Funding Levels
Jul 2, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
This spreadsheet contains a town-by-town list of estimated Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 with a comparison to FY 2019 funding levels.
FY 2020 Budget Changes to School Finance
Jul 1, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
Brief presentation detailing the changes to state education funding for fiscal year 2020 that were made as part of the state's biennial budget for FYs 2020 and 2021. Presentation includes information about Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding, changes to significant education line items, and funding for school choice programs.
Summary of the Budget for the Connecticut State Department of Education for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021
Jun 26, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
On June 26, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont signed into law the biennial state budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Included in this state budget are numerous changes to the Connecticut State Department of Education’s (CSDE) budget, and to the funding of education programs. These two documents summarize the CSDE's budget for FYs 2020 and 2021, and provide a look into the significant changes made to the department's budget.
FAQs: Minimum Budget Requirement
Jun 25, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
This frequently asked questions document discusses Connecticut’s minimum budget requirement (MBR), which prohibits a town from budgeting less for education than it did in the previous year unless it meets specific exceptions.
Analysis of State Education Funding in Adopted Biennial Budget, FYs 2020-2021
Jun 4, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
On Tuesday, June 4, the Connecticut General Assembly adopted a biennial state budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, which was sent to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature. Included in the biennial budget are several changes to state education funding, including changes to funding levels for the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, schools of choice, and other education grants. The Connecticut School Finance Project has prepared two documents that offer a brief overview of the state education funding and school finance changes contained in the biennial state budget adopted by the General Assembly.
ECS Grants for FYs 2020 and 2021 with Comparisons to FY 2019 Funding Levels
Jul 2, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
This spreadsheet contains a town-by-town list of estimated Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grants for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 with a comparison to FY 2019 funding levels.
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.
Connecticut's Designated High Schools and Endowed Academies
May 28, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
There are a variety of types of public schools of choice in Connecticut, including magnet schools, career and technical high schools, vocational agricultural centers, and charter schools. Connecticut also has two additional school choice arrangements that are not as common: designated high schools and endowed academies. This policy briefing discusses both of these options and how they are a part of Connecticut’s public education landscape. Included in this policy briefing is information about the objective, the history, the administration, and the funding of designated high schools and endowed academies.
FAQs: Minimum Budget Requirement
Jun 25, 2019
CT School Finance Project Original Content
This frequently asked questions document discusses Connecticut’s minimum budget requirement (MBR), which prohibits a town from budgeting less for education than it did in the previous year unless it meets specific exceptions.
Sheff v. O'Neill Supreme Court Ruling and Subsequent Stipulation Agreements
Feb 23, 2015
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.