posted on
Connecticut is stronger when all voices are valued; all children have opportunity
Hartford, Conn.– Today, Governor Lamont released his proposed budget adjustments for Fiscal
Year 2025. In response, ConnCAN Executive Director, Steven Hernández, released the
following statement:
“With a majority of our underserved children without access to quality pre-k, and just 45.5% of children reading proficiently by 3rd grade – including only a quarter of Black and brown students – this proposed budget adjustment asks Connecticut residents to decide between one critical learning and developmental stage over another. If approved by the legislature, this would be a setback for learners of all ages. Last year, through a bipartisan budget, Connecticut leaders agreed to invest in our future. This year, we must build on that promise to support more children, not fewer.
“Pitting children against each other for a chance at a quality education is not a solution. The data show that focusing on K-12 without investing in early childhood forces kids to play catch up. But focusing on early education without a strong K-12 system creates an education opportunity cliff for our young learners from which they may never recover.
“Our children deserve resolute leadership, not political ambivalence when it comes to their future.”
###
About ConnCAN: ConnCAN is leading a movement to improve education outcomes for
Connecticut’s kids. We bring advocates, policymakers, parents and educators together to
change the system and give all kids access to the great public schools they deserve.
Learn more at www.conncan.org.