Advocacy Group Launches Initiative to Improve CT Education Funding Formulas

The advocacy group Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) has launched a new campaign, called SchoolsR4Kids, which urges the state's legislators "to take immediate action to address the education equity issues outlined in Judge Thomas Moukawsher’s recent CCJEF v Rell decision, by working to adopt policies including a fair, equitable, and predictable education funding formula by the end of the 2017 legislative session."

"Schools are for kids’ is the simple truth Judge Moukawsher laid bare in his ruling," said Jennifer Alexander, CEO of ConnCAN, in a statement. "To live up to our our state’s constitutionally guaranteed right to provide a quality public education to all of our kids, we need to make bold changes, including a fair and consistent funding formula. In his State of the State address, Governor Malloy called out the need for an education funding formula as a key priority. Tackling this challenge will take a great deal of hard work and courage from our state leaders and collective action from across our state. That’s why ConnCAN is launching SchoolsR4Kids: to urge our elected leaders to take immediate action and develop a fair education funding formula for all types of schools by the end of the 2017 legislative session. Our kids, families, and Connecticut’s economic future cannot wait any longer for meaningful action on this basic issue of fairness."

According to a recent poll of 600 likely voters conducted by ConnCAN and Benenson Strategy Group, an overwhelming majority of Connecticut voters (68 percent) support Judge Moukawsher’s recent decision calling for a rational education funding formula, and 57 percent want the General Assembly to take immediate action to address these issues, rather than wait for the Connecticut Supreme Court’s ruling on the appeal.

ConnCAN has launched www.schoolsr4kids.org and a Change.org petition so that Connecticut citizens can take action and urge our state leader to adopt a fair funding formula this year.

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