Connecticut Education in 2026: What to Watch, What to Do
Connecticut's 2026 legislative session is set to center on education funding, student loan support, AI in schools, and rules around armed school security officers. The stakes are high for K-12 and higher ed leaders trying to plan budgets, staffing, and programs with federal volatility in the mix.
Here's a clear view of the key issues - and practical steps you can take now.
Federal Impact
Many of the biggest shifts in 2025 came from federal actions, including efforts tied to the U.S. Department of Education, executive orders, frozen and canceled funds, attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration enforcement, and student visa revocations. State leaders also expect trickle-down effects from the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
"When the state legislature convenes on Feb. 4, some of the top issues are likely to be education funding and the use of AI in schools," said Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association. She added a blunt reality: the federal outlook feels "unpredictable and unreliable," and the core question is how the state fills gaps if federal funding falls short.
Higher education faces its own pressure. A major endowment tax hike hits in July and is expected to affect Yale University, which has warned of cost-cutting and potential layoffs. At the state level, legislative leaders are prioritizing a new graduate student loan program to offset changes stemming from the federal overhaul of student aid.
School District Funding
"Funding's always, I think, the top challenge," said state Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, co-chair of the Education Committee. This session will again take up the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, with a push to update the foundation amount for inflation.
Advocates note the foundation is still set in 2013 dollars. "They're fully funding it in 2013 dollars, so there's a flaw in that," Dias said. A foundation adjustment tied to inflation could add an estimated $213 million statewide in fiscal year 2027, according to the School + State Finance Project.
Fiscal guardrails will limit how much can move in any single budget year. Districts should model multiple scenarios now, so program and staffing decisions aren't made blind to possible outcomes.
Resource: Learn more about ECS and district impacts at the School and State Finance Project.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is here, and most districts don't have a consistent approach. The state Department of Education is developing comprehensive AI guidance for K-12 - curriculum, policy, and professional learning - with a potential launch this spring. Expect continued attention on student safety, AI chatbots, and guardrails at both state and national levels.
"I think AI is already here, and I think also our schools are not prepared, like many other industries, on what exactly that means," Leeper said. Districts should not wait for final guidance to start staff training and policy pilots.
- Form a cross-functional AI working group (curriculum, IT, legal, student services).
- Draft a tiered use policy (teacher use, student use, assessment integrity, data privacy).
- Run small pilots in literacy, feedback, and IEP documentation where appropriate and legal.
State info: Monitor updates from the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Training: For structured upskilling, see educator-focused options from Complete AI Training.
Child Care and Pre-K
Last year's Early Childhood Education Endowment set the stage for expanded access to free and lower-cost care over time. In 2026, hundreds more families are expected to gain state-funded child care through new Early Start CT seats, alongside increased provider payments to raise staff pay.
Districts and community providers should coordinate on facilities, staffing pipelines, and enrollment outreach to ensure seats are filled and transitions to kindergarten are smooth.
Special Education
Special education will remain front and center. The legislature increased the Excess Cost Grant last session, added grants to strengthen services, and advanced oversight and pricing reforms for private providers. Ongoing studies will inform what's working and what needs adjustment.
Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said they'll push for more Excess Cost funding, reduced out-of-district placements, stronger in-district programs, and earlier interventions. "Special ed continues to be on my mind… It's grown by 53% in the last 15 years," she said, raising concerns about sustainability at the current pace.
The state Department of Education also reported initial steps to address "systemic issues" flagged by an independent review. Districts should audit early-intervention capacity, IEP timelines, transportation costs, and staff caseloads now.
Other Ongoing Priorities
- Teacher recruitment and retention
- Chronic absenteeism
- Equity and achievement
- School choice
- Dual enrollment and workforce readiness
- School meals
- New history curriculum for America's 250th anniversary
- Literacy
- Multilingual learner supports
Three Hot Topics to Track
Cellphones in schools. Statewide restrictions didn't pass last session, but Leeper said phone-free schools are a priority. Districts considering changes should plan for family communications, secure storage, exceptions, and enforcement consistency.
Homeschooling. High-profile abuse cases refocused attention on Connecticut's homeschooling laws and whether stricter regulations could prevent harm. Expect debate on notification, reporting, and safeguards while balancing family rights and student safety.
School security officers. Lawmakers plan to revisit who is eligible to serve as an armed school security officer, following findings that at least 10 districts hired armed staff with misconduct histories. Districts should review vetting standards and contracts ahead of possible statutory changes.
Action Steps for District and Campus Leaders
- Budget: Model federal shortfall scenarios; build contingencies for grants at risk.
- ECS: Prepare talking points and data for an inflation adjustment; quantify program impacts.
- AI: Stand up a policy draft, PD plan, and a small pilot; engage unions and families early.
- Early childhood: Map demand, staffing, and facilities for Early Start CT expansion.
- Special education: Increase early interventions; expand in-district capacity; monitor out-of-district costs.
- Operations: Update cellphone policies, SSO vetting, and safety protocols; document compliance.
- Higher ed: Model endowment tax and aid changes; explore a state-supported graduate loan bridge.
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