Connecticut Homeschool Laws & Requirements
First, know that it is legal to homeschool in all 50 states. Each state, however, has its own requirements, rules and guidelines when it comes to homeschooling. Connecticut is one of the least regulated states for home education and it is also among the top ten states for rapid growth of homeschooling families.
Families who are planning on homeschooling in Connecticut need to understand the difference between the law and the guidelines or suggested procedures. This pages discusses both.
- Connecticut Homeschool Laws
- Switching from Public School to Homeschool
- Homeschool Recordkeeping in Connecticut
- Homeschool Graduation Requirements
- How to Transfer from Homeschool to Public School
- Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Connecticut
*This should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws and rules that you will be homeschooling under.
Connecticut Homeschool Laws
To comply with Connecticut’s homeschool law, parents must ensure their children receive instruction in the following required subjects:
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- English Grammar
- Geography
- Arithmetic
- U.S. History
- Citizenship (including a study of Town, State and Federal Government)
- Science (recommended)
The suggested procedures for home instruction in Connecticut include:
- Submit a notice of intent to homeschool form to the superintendent of schools in your town. This must be filed within 10 days of starting to homeschool.
- If you’re child is or was previously attending public school, you will have to write a letter of withdrawal to the school superintendent before homeschooling.
- Attend an annual portfolio review to ensure that instruction in the required subjects has been given. There is no evaluation for academic progress, standardized test results or curriculum used.
More information relating to the home education rules for Connecticut can be found at A2ZHomeschooling.com.
Full Details of Connecticut’s Homeschool Laws
Switching from Public School to Homeschool
In order to start homeschooling children who are currently enrolled in either a public or private school, you must first formally withdraw your child. Some districts/ schools may have specific forms for parents to fill out and their own procedures for withdrawing students, so be sure to check with your child’s individual school for detailed information.
Parents can also write a letter of withdrawal that they can either deliver in person or via certified mail to the school superintendent. Be sure to keep copies of all forms and correspondence for your personal records.
Homeschool Recordkeeping in Connecticut
For parents who decide to file a record of intent, keep in mind that you may be asked to attend an annual portfolio review by the school district. However, this is not meant to determine how a child is progressing. It’s sole purpose it to determine if instruction in the subjects required by law has been given. It’s helpful for parents to keep track of their child’s work in the required subjects in a homeschool portfolio so they can they submit proof if need be.
Homeschool Graduation Requirements
In Connecticut, once a child is getting ready to graduate from homeschooling, a parent-issued diploma and transcript should suffice as proof that the child has been taught in the required subjects. It is important to ensure that your child’s homeschool portfolio also includes dates and times so that proof regarding compulsory attendance is readily available.
How to Transfer from Homeschool to Public School
For parents who only plan to homeschool for a short while, it’s important to know what the procedure is for transferring a child back to public school. These policies vary by individual school and/or school district, so it’s important to inquire with the school your child will be attending. Keep in mind that schools may ask for your child’s homeschool portfolio and/or administer a placement test. Other schools may just ask that you simply register your child with no further information.
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Connecticut
Below are additional pages that discuss pertinent information to homeschooling in Connecticut.
- Homeschooling in Connecticut
- Connecticut Homeschool Associations
- Connecticut Homeschooling Groups & Co-ops
- Homeschool Field Trips in Connecticut
- Connecticut Test Prep
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