Equitable School Funding Isn’t Just About Dollars

Every day, I experience the consequences of inequitable funding in high-needs districts. My school struggles with staffing shortages in critical roles like ESL, special education, and support staff. Enrichment and after-school programs are disappearing, leaving students without the tools to thrive. Too often, those who need the most support receive the least.

Despite significant challenges, there’s some good news. This year, Connecticut lawmakers took a big step forward when the Appropriations Committee proposed full funding for the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, promising equitable funding for all schools. This will equip educators with much-needed individualized support, updated technology, and sensory spaces that meet diverse learning needs. It would also transform teaching and help schools offer competitive salaries to stem the tide of teachers leaving—not because they want to, but because they can’t afford to stay. But this is only possible if we update the formula for rising costs of living, labor, and specialized student services.

Still, equitable funding isn’t just about dollars—it’s about people. ECS isn’t just about increasing teacher pay and building a high-quality, diverse teaching workforce. As a teacher of color, I know how important it is to have a teacher who reflects the students in front of them. I’m one of the few teachers of color at my school, commuting over an hour each day because my students count on me. Fully funding ECS offers the opportunity to recruit and retain passionate educators who reflect and uplift the communities they serve.

To do their jobs well, educators also need ongoing support—especially when it comes to addressing students’ social and emotional needs.  Funding should support professional development that equips teachers with skills to teach the whole child. My students are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, and we need the tools necessary to provide safe, nurturing, and supportive classrooms.  

The truth is, our current funding model isn’t working. While we’ve made progress this legislative session, I urge state leaders to go further: add special education weight to the ECS formula and prioritize teacher recruitment and retention.

Budget negotiations are happening now. Join me and E4E-CT in demanding that state legislators prioritize equitable school funding today!

Phoebe White is a teacher in Hartford Public Schools and a member of E4E-CT. This blog post was adapted from her public comment submitted to the Connecticut Education Committee to support fully funding Education Cost Sharing (ECS) and ending tuition billing.