introduction
In 2021, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) published a Blueprint to Transform Connecticut Public Schools – a vision of continuous improvement coupled with a comprehensive, long-term set of recommendations for addressing the educational and fiscal needs of Connecticut’s school districts. Each year since 2021, CAPSS has updated the Blueprint, reported on progress and amended the recommendations to reflect the most current needs and direction for our schools.
This document represents the 2026 update and revisions to the original Blueprint and suggests that Connecticut’s public elementary and secondary schools should become a much greater priority for both local and state policy makers and education practitioners.
Connecticut's Priority: Our Public Schools
No investment yields greater rewards than public education. CAPSS firmly believes that no other public expenditure drives social and economic progress as powerfully as sustained investment in high-quality public schools.
Education delivers the highest return on every dollar. Every dollar spent on preschool, elementary, and secondary education generates exponential benefits – nurturing young minds early, empowering individuals for life, and dramatically reducing future social and economic costs.
Public education is America’s greatest success story. For nearly 200 years, our public schools have been a cornerstone of opportunity and growth. Compulsory, publicly funded education has propelled millions into better lives, strengthened communities, and fueled the nation’s prosperity. No other institution in history has achieved such transformative impact.
The State’s duty is clear and nonnegotiable. Our Constitution guarantees free public education for every child. Temporary revenue shortfalls or competing budget priorities cannot erase this legal and moral obligation. The State must continue to lead and partner with all 169 towns to uphold this essential commitment.
Invest in the future consistently and courageously. CAPSS urges policymakers to make continuous, sustainable investment in public education their top priority. The benefits are clear, the responsibility undeniable, and the future of our children – and our State – depends on it.
The essential question that has guided CAPSS in defining its priorities going forward is:
What changes in CT Public Schools are imperative over the next 10 years that will result in greater success for every student?
CAPSS has chosen to focus on five essential areas for the next few years.
- Elevate the Stature of Connecticut's Public Schools and the Education Profession
- Increase the State's Share of Education Funding
- Optimize Special Education
- Invest Early in All Children
- Pathways to Possibilities
The rationale for each of these priorities follows ...
In order to sustain the quality of Connecticut Public Education, we know that equal access to high quality instruction and to successful outcomes for all students requires teachers to develop a personal relationship with each student, differentiate instruction to meet individual student’s needs and maintain continuous communication with parents and families. Moreover, we know that additional supports are needed for students with special needs, students living in poverty, students whose home and first language is other than English and students who are disengaged from school. Finally, it is essential that towns be able to provide sufficient budgets to enable high-quality professional development and support for staff, both professional and non-certified, and to have the necessary tools and supports to fulfill their assigned roles.
Today’s students need to acquire the skills to read, write, speak, compute, innovate, engage in scientific inquiry, and work together to solve complex/real-life problems, but they also must develop a love of learning, an appreciation for the history of this country, a respect for others and the importance of contributing to the betterment of our society. All those involved in leading public education must stay focused on continuously improving students’ learning and achievement, and ensuring that all students are treated equitably and with dignity.