Connecticut State Data Center presentation for Latino Policy Day 2016 (CT State Data Center)

This presentation from Steve Batt of the Connecticut State Data Center examines demographic changes occurring, and projected to occur, across Connecticut's public school districts. The presentation includes data from the Connecticut State Data Center’s Population Projections for school districts in Connecticut, along with demographic, socioeconomic, and enrollment data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the Connecticut State Department of Education. The presentation was given on Feb. 4, 2016 as a part of a Latino Policy Day panel hosted by the Connecticut School Finance Project titled "Connecticut's Changing Face: A Catalyst for Fair School Funding."

The presentation finds the following conclusions:

• Connecticut's demographic changes strongly resemble national trends.
• However, overall low fertility, low rates of migration into the state, and an aging population will contribute to the decline in CT's youth population through 2025.
• Reduction and growth in school district enrollment will vary greatly.
• Recent enrollment loss in 145 public school districts is a trend that will continue.
• Recent enrollment gain/loss among districts can be correlated with diversity of the students served.
• Districts with the highest enrollment growth tend to be larger, more diverse districts serving a larger percentage of underprivileged children.
• Connecticut needs a school finance system that is prepared to handle these demographic changes.