This policy briefing details the current mismatch between student learning needs and per-student spending in Connecticut’s local and regional public school districts, and examines some of the factors that contribute to this mismatch.
In 2024, the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation that expanded the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula to include more students participating in various public school choice programs. However, because of how this change was implemented, state grant formulas for school choice programs depend on the ECS formula definitions in state statute but in inconsistent ways.
Passed in July 2025, H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) contains a new federal tax credit scholarship program designed to support school choice initiatives and students with education-related expenses. This document addresses key questions about how the new program might work, who would be eligible, and what it could mean for Connecticut’s students, schools, communities, and residents.
This frequently asked questions document discusses special education services for Connecticut students attending public schools of choice, including how those services are delivered and paid for.
This model allows users to calculate future projected State Charter School grants based on the phase-in of weighted student funding for charter schools.
These documents provide more information about funding for different public school types under the biennial state budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Included in each document is an overview of funding from the previous year and details on how funding will be allocated in FYs 2026 and 2027.
BOE Magnet School Funding for FYs 2026 and 2027
AgriScience Program Funding for FYs 2026 and 2027
RESC Magnet School Funding for FYs 2026 and 2027
State Charter School Funding for FYs 2026 and 2027
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