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State Budget Funds Key Programs for Closing Achievement Gap
$123 Million Targeted for Expansion of High-Quality Preschool, New Charters and Magnets, Pilot Schools, and New Accountability Systems
 
Contact: Marc Porter Magee                                                    
Tel: 203-772-4017 x14
Cell: 203-586-9313
Email: marc.magee@conncan.org

 Download PDF chart with FY2007-09 education budget figures

 Download Excel spreadsheet with FY2007-09 education budget figures


“This new budget provides a critical boost to the effort to close America’s largest achievement gap by providing parents more choices, educators greater freedom to innovate, and the public increased accountability for results,” said Alex Johnston, executive director of ConnCAN.

Of the 61 major programs in the State Department of Education budget for FY 2008 and FY 2009, 23 programs received increases, 21 programs were flat-funded, 3 programs received cuts, and 14 were new.

  • The largest program in the Department’s budget, Education Equalization Grants, received the largest increase in absolute terms, growing from $1.60 billion in FY 2007 to $1.88 billion in FY 2009 – a $294 million increase in Education Cost Sharing grants to districts (18.4%).
  • In percentage terms, the existing programs receiving the greatest increases over two years were the Early Childhood Advisory Cabinet (133%), Vocational Agriculture (89%), After School Programs (77%), Magnet Schools (41%), and Charter Schools (39%).
  • Significant new programs include Longitudinal Data Systems ($6.4 million over two years), Preschool Quality Rating System ($5.5 million), School Accountability ($3.8 million), and CommPACT Schools ($750,000).

(For the complete list of programs with funding broken down by year for FY 2007-2009 and by the funding in the Governor’s February 2007 budget, the Appropriations Committee’s April 2007 budget and the final budget deal, please see the attached PDF and Excel spreadsheet.)

Three key provisions of ConnCAN’s “Great Schools for All” plan for closing Connecticut’s achievement gap—expanding high-quality preschool, creating innovative new public schools, and ensuring greater accountability for results—received a significant boost with $123 million in new funding over two years in the State Budget:

Expanding High-Quality Preschool

  • $450,000 in FY 2008 and $600,000 in FY 2009 for the Early Childhood Education Cabinet to conduct a statewide longitudinal evaluation of the school readiness program and develop and implement an accountability plan for early childhood educational services. 
  • $3 million in FY 2008 and $2.5 million in FY 2009 for a Preschool Quality Rating System to help parents make informed choices and to establish the foundation for greater public accountability.
  • $10.2 million in FY 2008 and $24.9 million in FY 2009 for the expansion of the early childhood grant program.

Creating Innovative New Public Schools

  • $750,000 in FY 2009 to establish up to 12 CommPACT schools based on the Boston “Pilot School” model. These local public schools will have autonomy over budget, staffing, governance, curriculum and the school calendar.
  • $6.2 million in FY 2008 and $11.5 million in FY 2009 to increase funding for state charter schools from $8,000 per pupil to $9,300 over two years and increase the number of students in charter schools from 3,641 to 4,375 over two years.
  • Pilot program created to foster collaborative partnerships between charters and their host districts that allows three districts (Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven) to negotiate agreements to include charter school achievement data in their district NCLB accountability results. 
  • $17.4 million in FY 2008 and $35.4 million in FY 2009 to increase the magnet school per pupil subsidy and expand the number of students in magnet schools.

Ensuring Greater Accountability for Results

  • $3.65 million in FY 2008 and $2.75 million in FY 2009 to establish a longitudinal data system that will track growth in student achievement on the individual student level. This system provides the foundation for a school rating system that measures schools based on the gains they achieve with their students.
  • $1.9 million in FY 2008 and $1.9 million in FY 2009 to support 10 new personnel at the State Department of Education to implement a new system of oversight and accountability.
  • Increased authority for the State Board of Education to take action to raise student performance when schools and school districts fail to make progress by:
       - Directing the transfer and assignment of teachers and principals.
       - Requiring the district to implement curriculum approved by the State Department of Education.
       - Assigning a technical assistance team to the school or district to guide school or district initiatives.
       - Reconstituting schools as charter schools.
       - Providing funding so that students in a failing school or district may attend public school in a neighboring district.
  • If a district fails to make Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years while designated as an underperforming school district, the state may identify the district for corrective action and take one or more of the following steps: 
       - Defer funds or reduce administrative funds.
       - Implement a new curriculum.
       - Replace personnel.
       - Remove schools from district jurisdiction.
       - Appoint a receiver or trustee to administer the district.
       - Abolish or restructure the district.

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For an interview with Alex Johnston or more information on the state education budget or the “Great Schools for All” plan, please call Marc Porter Magee at 203-586-9313 or email Marc at marc.magee@conncan.org.

The Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) is a statewide outreach, education, and research organization working to close Connecticut’s achievement gap. To learn more visit: www.conncan.org.