Parent Power!

Connecticut

U.S.
Rank
#47 F
Overall PPI Score: 58%
Connecticut Overview
Opportunity
Innovation
Policy Environment

Charter Schools

Score
62%
Grade: D
Rank: #46

The Yankee State's law is one of the least friendly to charter schools. While the state may approve a charter proposal to operate, the legislature will not fund it nor the expansion of existing and great schools, like Capital Prep Schools, a 2022 Yass Prize finalist, which leads the charge in advocating to ensure every child receives the education they deserve. As such, Connecticut has the eighth weakest charter law in the nation.

Fast Facts:

Law enacted: 1996

Number of charter schools: 30

Number of charter students: 10,900

Cap on the number of schools allowed: No cap on schools, but cap on percentage of students permitted.

Virtual charters allowed: No

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: The state board and local districts can both authorize, but schools authorized by local districts must be approved by both the local district and the state board. The state board ultimately authorizes all charter in the state and there is no other entity for approval or appeals.

GROWTH: Growth is inhibited by the cap on the number of schools allowed, funding and the lack of a blanket waiver. The cap is the lesser of 250 students or 25% of district enrollment for district authorized schools; the lesser of 300 students or 25% of district enrollment for state board authorized schools. 

OPERATIONS: Schools can apply to the state for waivers from regulations, but are not automatically exempt from any rules and regulations.

EQUITY: Charters have no access to the local tax base. State charter schools are funded by an annual state per pupil appropriation that modestly increases year after year. However, this funding is not equitable when compared to traditional public schools, particularly for students of color; in certain districts, students experience spending gaps that exceed $5,000 per pupil. The weighted student funding will continue to be phased in FY 24 (36.08%) and FY 25 onwards (56.7%) but full weighted funding will have to wait. WIth an enormous amount of wealth the state has a $696.5 million funding gap that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable students and perpetuates an inequitable public education system.


Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score
50%
Grade: F
Rank: #37

Connecticut has no private school choice programs.

Fast Facts:

Teacher Quality

USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP

"Connecticut does not use student achievement or growth data to hold teacher preparation programs accountable."

This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.