SB 1017 Summary

• Establishes an interdistrict public school attendance program (Open Choice Program) effective July 1, 2019, with goals to improve academic achievement, reduce racial/ethnic/economic isolation, and provide educational choice.

• Program operates in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport (beginning 1998), and New London (beginning 2000) regions, with requirements that non-minority student transfers maintain racial balance proportional to prior-year enrollment ratios.

• Department of Education provides annual grants to regional educational service centers and school districts for transportation (up to $3,250 per student in fiscal years 2015-2017) and per-pupil payments ($2,500-$8,000 per out-of-district student depending on enrollment percentages).

• Requires each receiving district accepting more than 75 students to employ an education advocate funded through grants, responsible for student transition support and liaison services; allows receiving districts to use lottery systems with preference for siblings and students from underperforming schools.

• Permits grants for preschool and all-day kindergarten programs in Hartford, summer school programs, and academic support services aligned with Milo Sheff court order goals; allocates up to 3.5% of appropriations for education advocate funding.