​​​​Connecticut's Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula is the state's primary tool for funding K-12 education and supporting communities. But the formula has not kept pace with inflation or the realities facing students and municipalities. 

ECS is the backbone of state education funding

• ECS is Connecticut's largest education grant, designed to distribute funding based on student enrollment, community wealth, and student need. 
• Despite this, 57% of K-12 education funding still comes from local property taxes, not the state. 

State resources have grown - ECS investment has not

• Connecticut has seen $9.7 billion in budget surpluses since 2013. 
• State tax revenue has grown by nearly $8 billion or 52% over the past 12 years, yet ECS funding has remained largely flat. 

Underfunding has shifted costs onto local taxpayers

• The stagnant ECS formula has shifted nearly $900 million in education costs to municipalities since 2013. 
• Communities have been forced to raise property taxes or cut services to make up the difference. 

The ECS foundation amount has been frozen since 2013

• The foundation is currently $11,525 per student, unchanged for more than a decade. 
• If adjusted for inflation today, it would be about $16,000 per student. 

The Result: Affordability and Equity Challenges 

• Heavy reliance on local property taxes increases pressure on homeowners and renters.
• Communities with less property wealth face higher tax burdens and fewer resources for students. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: Fixing and Modernizing the ECS Formula is Essential to: 

• Expanding student opportunity
• Supporting municipal fiscal stability 
• Reducing pressure on property taxpayers
• Improving affordability across Connecticut

Watch our newest video: "Why Are Connecticut Property Taxes So High?" and click through for all of our videos so far.

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And read CCM's Op-Ed on the urgent need to fix the formula, co-signed by our entire Board of Directors