Connecticut Needs An Equitable Education Funding Model

Yesterday, New Haven Register’s Brian Zahn reported that nine faith leaders joined education advocacy organization Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) in calling upon the state’s General Assembly to take immediate action in creating an equitable education funding model according to the Superior Court’s ruling in CCJEF v. Rell. The Superior Court’s sweeping ruling stated that Connecticut does not fund its schools in a way that provides a minimally adequate education for all students as constitutionally required, and called upon the General Assembly to construct a new funding model within 180 days. However, due to the Supreme Court’s decision to grant the state Attorney General’s appeal, the General Assembly’s creation of this equitable funding model has been halted.

During yesterday’s press conference, Rev. Kenneth Moales Jr. highlighted how children should have access to a quality education regardless of zip code and how, “for decades, low-performing and failing public schools have remained open while receiving money, and charter schools are consistently flat-funded.” He continued, “The system is flawed. A failing system and a dysfunctional system does not need more money to operate. Stop misappropriating funds. This is not a charter rally; it’s an education equity rally.”

Connecticut can no longer afford to neglect the highest-need students by arbitrarily funding schools. If the issues highlighted in the Superior Court’s ruling remain unaddressed by the legislature, the state will continue to do children a great injustice.