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Reports & Publications

We've published hundreds of reports and analyses covering a variety of issues in education funding and state finance policy, and we're always working on new research reports. Browse through all of our reports and publications using the keyword search below, or search by a specific category using the drop-down menu below the Featured post.

Budget Snapshot: K-12 Education Funding in Adopted State Budget, FYs 2026-27

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State Capitol building of Connecticut

On June 3, 2025, the Connecticut General Assembly adopted a new biennial state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This nonpartisan analysis details changes to state education funding in the budget, and provides a brief overview of the general fiscal outlook of the state budget and economy.

Education Funding Snapshot - Adopted Budget for FYs 2026 and 2027 Interactive Community Impact Tool - Adopted Budget for FYs 2026 and 2027
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Education Funding State Budget

Excess Cost Funding Shortfalls for FYs 2024 and 2025 and the Impact to Reimbursements

Excess Cost grant reimbursement requests for FY 2024 significantly exceeded the $181 million appropriated for the grant in the state budget, and are expected to exceed the amount appropriated in FY 2025. Without additional funding, districts and towns will not receive the reimbursement levels specified in statute for the Excess Cost grant, resulting in less funding for all districts educating high-needs students with disabilities.

Excess Cost Funding Shortfalls for FYs 2024 and 2025
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Education Funding Special Education

2023 Legislative Changes to Excess Cost Grant

The Excess Cost grant is the State of Connecticut’s method for sharing in the expense for students who have extraordinary special education needs and associated costs. During the 2023 legislative session, the General Assembly increased the appropriated amount of the Excess Cost grant and amended the grant’s formula for reimbursing school districts.

2023 Legislative Changes to Excess Cost Grant
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Education Funding Special Education

Improving How Connecticut Funds Special Education

Each day, more than 68,700 of the students who pass through the doors of Connecticut’s public schools require special education services, making up 13 percent of the state's total public school enrollment. The individual learning needs of these students are wide-ranging and unique. As a result of these wide-ranging needs, the resources required to provide students with a “free appropriate public education” vary significantly, and often pose difficult planning and financial questions to Connecticut’s public schools. The report examines the special education finance systems of all 50 states and finds Connecticut is one of only four states in the country that does not have a system for funding all special education students.

Improving How CT Funds Special Education FINAL
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Education Funding Special Education