I have been taking the pulse of education policy on a daily basis for over a decade thanks in large measure to the internet and the information revolution. Frankly it is depressing at times and the last two weeks have been a good example.

Consider some of the events that have unfolded. Two important court cases made the news in Connecticut: A federal judge threw out the last remaining charge in Connecticut’s suit against the federal government related to NCLB. The Connecticut State Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an appeal of a case related to access to quality education (CCJEF v. Rell). In a bizarre presentation on behalf of the defendants, the state asserted that as a constitutional matter all that is guaranteed to Connecticut students is a school to go to - quality is not within the purview of the courts. It is best left to the legislative and executive branches of government. The Legislative and Executive branches concurred on a budget this week which will very likely cause disruption of education budgets,  particularly in districts with the most vulnerable populations such as Bridgeport.

The Connecticut Post reported this morning that one consequence of the budget could very likely be the elimination of full-day kindergarten in Bridgeport. This will impact potentially 370 children. Bridgeport also is confronted with an extraordinary 5,500 potential foreclosures adding additional stress to the lives of untold numbers of children and their parents. The problems of school finance dramatically impact taxpayers and children. Add into the mix the increased cost of implementing the federal law which is drastically underfunded, the failure to fully fund IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act) at the promised 40% rate and the continuing failure of the state to meet its commitment to fund 40% of local education and you have a recurring fiscal nightmare.

These are not new scenarios, the same things happened in the dramatic downturn of the late 80’s, nor is it particularly new that promises made are not kept at all levels of government. What is new, however, is that the ante for public schooling has been upped dramatically and the relentless accountability time clock continues unabated by recession and broken promises. In the meantime more programs will be cut, more teachers will be let go and commitments to the needs of poor children before formal schooling begins will be slowed down at best.