Connecticut Homeschooling Laws
Connecticut is one of the states with the fewest regulations for homeschooling. Families considering to homeschool their child(ren) should be aware of the legislation and the rules or recommended procedures. This page provides that information as well as the distinction between the two.
· Homeschooling laws in Connecticut
· Transferring from public school to homeschool
· Recordkeeping for homeschoolers in Connecticut
· Requirements for graduation in Connecticut
· Switching to public school after homeschooling
* This information is by no means intended as legal advice; its purpose is merely informational. It is each parent’s responsibility to get informed and understand the applicable homeschooling laws which regulate homeschooling in his or her state.
Requirements and Laws on Homeschooling in Connecticut
The law in Connecticut requires homeschooled students to undertake the following subjects:
· Writing
· U.S. history
· English Grammar
· Reading
· Arithmetic
· Geography
· Spelling
· Science (recommended)
· Citizenship (study of Federal Government, State and Town)
The procedures that are suggested in giving homeschool instruction include:
· Filing a notice of intent to homeschool form (NOI) with the office of the local school superintendent within 10 days of beginning the homeschool program. The notice may be sent via mail, which is the recommended method, or hand delivered to the office of the superintendent. This method however requires the parent to ensure the office has marked the date of receipt by either a signature or stamp and get a photocopy of the notice. The notice, however, does not serve as a request for approval, rather as an acknowledgment by the parent that he/she is now fully responsible of the child’s education. Receipt of the notice does not mean approval of the homeschool program by the school district.
For the child (ren) enrolled in a public school, the parent is required to write a withdrawal letter before starting the homeschool program to the superintendent’s office.
· If you submit a notice of intent, the school may invite you to a meeting held annually to establish whether the instruction in the appropriate courses has been provided. The homeschool portfolio is required to show some samples of the subjects specified that you mentioned in your notice you will be teaching.
· The review is not mandatory and majority of the schools do not ask for a review. It is optional for a parent to initiate contact with the school if they wish.
· Homeschooling in Connecticut is not subjected to an evaluation on the academic progress, curriculum used or any standardized tests.
Transferring from Public School to Homeschool in Connecticut
Students already enrolled in a public school must be officially withdrawn from the school before starting the homeschool program. Schools provide parents with the withdrawal forms and policies for withdrawing their students. Parents should first consult with the school on the particular process to be followed before filling the withdrawal form. A withdrawal can also be in form of a letter written by the parent to the superintendent of the school which may be sent via mail or delivered in person.
Recordkeeping for Homeschoolers in Connecticut
Parents who choose to contact the school may be invited to an annual review of the portfolio by the school. The review determines whether the required instruction in the required subjects has been given and not the child’s progress. A homeschool portfolio is helpful in keeping track of the progress made by the child on the required subjects. Parents are advised to keep one to act as proof in need be.
Requirements for Graduation in Connecticut
Parents issue a diploma and make the transcripts as proof that the child has received instruction in the required subjects. The homeschool portfolio should have times and dates of when the instruction took place to serve as proof of school attendance of the child.
Homeschool High School Transcript Template
Track your homeschooler’s credits, courses, and accomplishments with this free homeschool high school transcript template.
Switching from Homeschooling to Public School in Connecticut
Each school in Connecticut applies different guidelines for grade placement and enrollment of students. You will find that some schools in Connecticut let you register your child for the grade you wish him/her to attend while others require information on the student’s progress and the curriculum used during homeschooling. Other schools in Connecticut will have your child take an assessment test to determine the appropriate grade level your child belongs in.
The chart below shows the comparison between graduation requirements in public school and homeschool in Connecticut.
| Public/Private School | Homeschool | |
|---|---|---|
|
Diploma requirements in Connecticut |
To receive a diploma in Connecticut, 25 completed credits are required.1 credit of physical education and wellness, 1 credit of health education, 1 credit of a world language, and 1 credit of diploma mastery assessment |
Parents in Connecticut have the liberty to determine if and when their student will graduate. They then proceed to award the high school diploma to their own terms. Institutions also give diplomas to students in private/online schools. |
| Additional requirements in Connecticut | 1 credit of physical education and wellness, 1 credit of health education, 1 credit of a world language, and 1 credit of diploma mastery assessment |
There is no law in Connecticut that compels or forces homeschoolers to undertake a test as a requirement in order to graduate high school. |
|
Connecticut high school transcripts |
The transcripts include the name of the student, the standardized test scores, a credit history of courses with course titles, the totals of the credits, the grade per semester and the average grade for each semester. |
Parents in Connecticut can create the homeschoolers’ transcripts which may include information they considered relevant to institutions the homeschoolers may intend to apply to. This may include schools, colleges, workplace organizations, or the military. |
|
High school course credits in Connecticut |
There are 4 additional credit requirements in Connecticut in order to graduate: 1 credit of health education required, 1 credit of physical fitness and wellness, 1 credit of a world language, and 2 credits are encouraged for students planning to attend university. A 1 credit course in diploma mastery assessment is also required, however, what exactly that consists of is to be defined by local school districts. |
Some parents assign credits to individual courses. Parents decide when it is time for their student to graduate and proceed to create transcripts. |
|
Eligibility for GED in Connecticut |
To apply for the GED test one has to be 17 years or older and one who has not received a high school diploma from either a private or a public high school. |
Homeschoolers in Connecticut are eligible if the meet the same criteria as public school students. |
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Connecticut
Have other questions about homeschooling in Connecticut? You may find the following pages helpful.
