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Policy Update

Connecticut Launches Blue-Ribbon Commission to Overhaul K-12 Education Funding

Governor Lamont's 23-member commission held its first meeting on June 4 with a mandate to redesign how Connecticut funds its public schools. A final report is due January 2027.

The Commission and Its Charge

On June 4, 2026, the Governor's Blue-Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability held its inaugural meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Governor Lamont signed the executive order establishing the commission in April, tasking it with a comprehensive review of how Connecticut funds public education and a mandate to recommend changes.

The commission has 23 members: a bipartisan mix of state and local elected officials, union leaders, school administrators, and policy analysts. It is chaired by Lamont's deputy chief of staff, Natalie Wagner. Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker serves as vice chair.

The final report is due January 15, 2027, in time for the next legislative session.

Why This Is Needed

Connecticut's primary school funding mechanism, the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, was designed several generations ago and has not been substantially updated to reflect how districts operate today. By at least one national measure, Connecticut has the highest funding disparity between high-poverty and low-poverty school districts of any state in the country.

That disparity has direct consequences for what schools can offer: staffing levels, program options, building conditions, and access to advanced coursework and enrichment all vary dramatically depending on where a student lives.

What the Commission Will Do

Over the next seven months the commission will:

  • Benchmark Connecticut's funding model against other states
  • Model the financial impact of potential changes on districts over multiple years
  • Consult national school finance experts
  • Hold stakeholder engagement sessions across the state

Governor Lamont has outlined specific priorities: universal pre-K access, early literacy, and career and technical education pathways. All three have direct relevance to the state's STEM education ecosystem.

What to Watch

The commission's recommendations could reshape how STEM programs, technical education, and enrichment activities are funded across every district in Connecticut — particularly in the Alliance Districts that serve nearly half the state's students. STEMACT will follow the commission's work and report on developments as they emerge.

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