Appropriations Committee Budget Proposal: Cuts to Education Reforms Less than one year after state legislators voted overwhelmingly in favor of education reform legislation, the Appropriations Committee cut $47.1 million from key education reforms in their budget proposal, including: •
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Statewide Teacher and Principal Evaluation: The Appropriation’s Committee’s budget cuts 73 percent of the funding for the Talent Development line item, which will support implementation of the state’s new teacher and principal evaluator system over the next two years. This system is an essential step towards holding educators accountable for their performance and ensuring they get the support and feedback they need. New State Charter Schools: No new state charters would open in the next two years. Thousands of Connecticut families are waiting for spots at high quality public charter schools. New schools are needed to meet this demand and provide kids with quality options. Commissioner’s Network: Last year's law would have allowed 25 of the state’s lowest-performing schools to participate in the state's turnaround effort, called the Commissioner’s Network. The Appropriations Committee budget cuts the number of schools in half. It would only allow for 12 schools to enter the Network, leaving thousands of students trapped in failing schools.
Table: Comparison of Education Reform Funding Proposals Reform Program
FY14 Governor's Budget Proposal
FY14 FY14 Percentage Cut Cuts Made by from Governor’s Appropriations Budget
Talent Development $18,325,000 - $13,325,000 New State Charter $1,785,000 - $1,785,000 Schools Commissioner's Network $3,300,000 - $1,750,000 Total
$23,410,000
- $16,860,000
FY15 Governor's Budget Proposal
FY15 FY15 Percentage Cut Cuts Made by from Governor’s Appropriations Budget
72.7%
$18,325,000 - $13,325,000
72.7%
100.0%
$8,415,000
- $8,415,000
100.0%
53.0%
$10,800,000 - $8,500,000
78.7%
72.0%
$37,540,000
80.6%
- $30,240,000
Source: Department of Education Budget Detail. Connecticut General Assembly Appropriations Committee. April 19, 2013.