THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

EDUCATION FINANCE

POSITIONS & PRIORITIES 2007               2/3/07

_____________________________________

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut supports a system of public education funding that makes available to each community financial resources sufficient to provide a suitable program of educational experiences to each child. 

We believe…

• The state should fund through grants to towns 50% of the overall statewide cost of public elementary and secondary education.

• The distribution of state funds should reflect the relative ability of different communities to finance schools from local resources.

• The distribution of state funds should reflect factors that influence the cost of educating different children.

• If revenues from the current state tax system prove inadequate, additional revenues should be generated by increasing the progressivity of the income tax.

For 2007 our Legislative Priorities are…

• Support for an updated and fully funded Education Cost Sharing formula.  Specifically…

ü       Removal of the ECS grant cap.

ü       Increasing the ECS Foundation, with a cost index identified in statute.

ü       Changing the definition of Need Students.

ü       Increasing the State Guaranteed Wealth Level.

ü       Elimination of Supplemental Formula Aid and Density Aid, if the above are implemented.

ü       Increasing the Minimum Aid Ratio, if the above are implemented.

• Support for additional targeted grants aimed at improving academic readiness and achievement among disadvantaged children, including…

ü       Early childhood programs.

ü       Family resource centers.

ü       After school programs.

• Support for a more progressive income tax to fund the increase in state expenditures generated by these changes.

For more information please contact Kathy Wilson at kwilson772@sbcglobal.net.

[Back] [LWVCT] [Home] [Next]

©2008 The League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.