Stay Compliant: Understanding Homeschool Laws in Connecticut

Stay Compliant: Understanding Homeschool Laws in Connecticut

According to Connecticut General Statute 10-184, it is the responsibility of every parent to make sure their children are taught the following subjects that are mandatory:

- Reading, writing, spelling, and English grammar

- Geography

- Arithmetic

- United States history, as well as citizenship, which includes studying the local, state, and federal governments.

In the United States, parents have the legal right, protected by both statutes and the constitution, to provide education to their children at home. They are not obligated to communicate with government officials prior to starting homeschooling.

Depending on where you live, school officials may ask you to do one of the following. Both are optional.

1. You may be asked to file a notice of intent. This is optional.

In the United States, you might be requested to submit a notice of intention. This step is not mandatory. The Department of Education in Connecticut has implemented homeschool guidelines that are voluntary. These guidelines state that if a family files a notice of intention to homeschool with their local school superintendent within 10 days of commencing their homeschooling program, they can establish the assumption that they are delivering equivalent education options to their children.

Due to these guidelines, certain school districts may request that families submit a notice of intention, or alternatively, provide the family with a notice of intention to complete. This process is voluntary, and although there may be certain situations where it could be advantageous to submit one, it is generally not required for most families.

If you do decide that filing an optional notice of intent is best for your situation, we recommend a few safeguards. First, we recommend using this notice of intent form created by the state Department of Education, which is limited to providing the name of the teacher, the subjects to be taught and days of instruction, and the teacher’s methods of assessment. We also recommend that if you file an optional notice, you mail your notice to the school district via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. If you decide to hand-deliver your optional notice, be sure to have the superintendent's office mark the date the letter was received, sign or stamp the letter to indicate receipt, and give you a photocopy that you can keep for your records.

It is worth mentioning that even if you choose to submit a non-obligatory notice, it does not mean you are requesting approval. While Massachusetts and Rhode Island mandate families to obtain “approval” for homeschooling, Connecticut does not have this requirement to leave public school. Submitting a notice is optional and does not seek approval for homeschooling. Additionally, the school district receiving your notice does not imply any form of approval for your homeschool program.

2. You may be asked to attend an annual portfolio review meeting. This is optional.

In the United States, there is a possibility that you will be invited to attend a yearly meeting to evaluate your portfolio. This meeting is not mandatory. According to the Guidelines, school authorities may also request your presence at an annual session to assess if you have received instruction in the necessary subjects. Just like the other procedures outlined in the guidelines, this yearly assessment is not obligatory. Numerous schools do not require such a review, so there is no need for you to reach out to your school district if they have not arranged one.

Although there are situations where it can be advantageous to file one, it is generally not necessary for most families.

If you do choose to submit an optional portfolio for evaluation, make sure to include brief examples of the required subjects you taught throughout the school year. If you decide to send the portfolio by mail, we recommend using Certified Mail with a Return Receipt Requested. If you opt to deliver the portfolio in person, ensure that the superintendent's office records the date of receipt, signs or stamps the letter as proof, and provides you with a photocopy.

-The Home Tribe team