The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled a lower court erred in dismissing claims filed in 2005 by the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding. CCJEF filed suit on behalf of students and families, contending the state’s failure to properly fund public schools inadequately prepares students for higher education and employment opportunities.
The Court held the state constitution requires "public schools provide their students with an education suitable to give them the opportunity to be responsible citizens able to participate fully in democratic institutions, such as jury service and voting, and to prepare them to progress to institutions of higher education, or to attain productive employment and otherwise to contribute to the state's economy." The decision allows plaintiffs to continue to pursue their suit that the state has failed to adequately fund its lowest-performing schools.
Concurring and dissenting opinions from the case are available for download on the right below the Court's plurality decision.
Citations
Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Rell, 295 Conn. 240 A.2d (2010).
Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Rell, 295 Conn. 240 A.2d (2010) (Palmer R.N., concurring).
Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Rell, 295 Conn. 240 A.2d (2010) (Schaller, B.R., concurring).
Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Rell, 295 Conn. 240 A.2d (2010) (Vertefeuille, C.S., dissenting).
Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding, Inc. v. Rell, 295 Conn. 240 A.2d (2010) (Zarella, P. T., dissenting).