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A first step toward educational access and opportunity for all children in Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut – Today, Governor Lamont released his proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The $55.2 billion budget includes some necessary investments in education. However, to create a bright future for all of our children, Connecticut must make generationally significant investments in all aspects of our education system.
Steven Hernández, Esq., Executive Director of ConnCAN, commented: “Just last week, ConnCAN shared Connecticut’s results on the most recent Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), and called for urgent action. They were distressing, especially when considering the gulf between students with resources and those without. As more responsibility rests on state and local leaders, we need to access and develop solutions that work, and resource those strategies with adequate, sustainable, and equitably-distributed dollars.”
The Governor’s proposed budget included the following investments in education:
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- $164M more in Education Cost Sharing to reach “full funding” as outlined by the Legislature;
- $69.9M more for Magnet School funding; $7.5M more for Vocational-Agriculture programs;
- $300M to seed early childhood education endowment to support goal of universal preschool;
- $54M more in 2027 to support funding of Excess Cost for special education, and developing in-district special education supports;
- $5M in 2027 to support the expansion of High-Dosage Tutoring – a proven model for accelerating learning, re-engaging students and developing future educators;
- Elimination of educator certification fees; and
- $7M for the Aspiring Education Diversity Scholarship – a vital component to building diverse and robust educator talent pipelines.
Hernández added: “The Governor’s proposed budget is a first step; the legislature now has the opportunity, in fact, the responsibility to fund a plan that is more aligned with what works for our students, more attuned with what educators need to succeed, and more responsive to parents and community. Connecticut can be that beacon for families and their American dream, and truly show what a difference a state makes.
“As an example. the State Board of Education recently approved five community-driven, state-vetted charter schools that serve as models of innovation and belonging in our state. Communities demanded these options for their children, but the Governor’s budget did not recommend funding for these schools. We should be funding approved charter schools, and we look forward to the legislature making this a reality.”
Additionally, ConnCAN highlights the following budget priorities as necessary to ensure that Connecticut is living up to its promise of educational opportunity for all:
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- Allocate new funding for the seven (7) approved charter schools in Stamford, Ansonia, Danbury, New Haven, Waterbury and Middletown;
- Enact student-centered weighted funding for all public school students;
- Invest in special education supports and the expansion of Excess Cost in 2026;
- Provide at least $22M in 2026 and $26M in 2027 for expanding high-dosage, high-impact tutoring in reading and math;
- Design and implement a fully refundable child tax credit – enabling families to invest in basic needs, enrichment, and tutoring of their children; and
- Appropriate $500K to support local libraries to build out parent-accessible inventories of decodable texts in support of the Right to Read initiative.
Hernández concluded: “This is not the time to take ‘summer breaks’ or ‘winter sabbaticals’ on funding our kids’ futures, especially for high impact reading and math tutoring, learning innovations, and teacher and family supports.
“We know what works, we know what it costs, we have the resources, and now we must activate courage: This is a moment for legislative leaders to lead.”
Steven Hernández, Esq
Executive Director, ConnCAN
Please reach out to Hamish MacPhail, Deputy Director for inquires (hamish.macphail@conncan.org)
About ConnCAN:
ConnCAN is a leading advocacy organization that ensures each child in Connecticut has equitable access to a high-quality public education.
ConnCAN envisions a Connecticut where each learner has access to an exceptional public education system that: (1) supports diverse learning environments with personalized paths to academic, civic, and economic success, and lifelong fulfillment; (2) attracts and retains educators that pursue excellence in every learning space, with rigorous student-centered standards to measure success; and (3) empowers families with the tools they need to guide their children toward that success. This vision relies on a family’s ability to make informed choices about where their children learn and thrive.