Suit Challenging Education Funding In Connecticut Moves Forward

Connecticut is not the only state that has disparities in educational outcomes depending on which school district you are in. But I would venture to say that is probably does have some of the largest. The Connecticut Coalition For Justice In Education Funding is now in court trying to force the state to do something about this. Their suit alleges that the state has failed to meet its constitutional mandate to provide equal education for all students. The suit recognizes that the state provides significantly more funding to poorer school districts but claims that the current state remedies are clearly not enough. “What we are arguing here is for the court to find that the system is unconstitutional because it is inadequately funded and inequitably administered,” said Joseph Moodhe, the lawyer representing the Coalition. Believe it or not, the Coalition has been fighting this case or one like it for over a decade – so long that former Governor Jodi Rell is the named defendant for the State. Needless to say, the Court is probably loathe to have to make a judgement on what level of spending would be fair as well as define an adequate education. But it could conclude that the disparities are so great that the state must make additional efforts to remedy the situation. And, of course, the State is opposed to changing the education funding mechanisms especially in light of the current budget situation. But something must be done to fix the educational opportunities and outcomes for poorer and disadvantaged students throughout the states. Hopefully, the Court will prod the State into action. That would be good for Connecticut and might also provide a template for other states with the same issue.