Homeschooling in Connecticut: the law and how to start

Yes. Connecticut's compulsory attendance law (General Statutes § 10-184) requires children from 5 to 18 to attend public school regularly, unless the parent can show the child is "elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction" in the studies taught in public schools. Homeschooling relies on this equivalent-instruction exemption.

Connecticut has long been one of the least regulated states for homeschooling: the statute doesn't require you to register, file a notice, test your child or hold a teaching credential. CSDE publishes suggested procedures — a notice of intent and an annual portfolio review — but has described them as voluntary.

That is changing. Public Act 26-37 (House Bill 5468), signed by Governor Lamont on May 26, 2026, renames home instruction "parent-managed learning" and phases in new requirements:

• From July 1, 2026: the State Department of Education must develop the new forms.
• From July 1, 2027 (the 2027–28 school year): a parent withdrawing a child from public school must sign a withdrawal form in person at the district office, and a withdrawal into parent-managed learning is not effective until the superintendent completes a records check with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
• From the 2028–29 school year: families file an annual intent-to-educate form with their district by October 1.

For the 2026–27 school year (current rules):

• If your child is enrolled in public school, tell the school in writing that you are withdrawing them to provide equivalent instruction at home, and keep a dated copy. This keeps your child from being marked absent.
• You may file CSDE's voluntary notice of intent with your local superintendent. Many districts have their own home instruction policy, so ask your superintendent's office for it; following it is optional unless state law says otherwise.
• Plan instruction that covers the required subjects and keep simple records of what you teach.

From July 1, 2027: you'll need to go in person to the school district office to sign a withdrawal form. The superintendent must run a DCF records check on the adults living in the household; the withdrawal is blocked if an adult in the home is on the state child abuse and neglect registry or under investigation. The superintendent must tell you within five days of starting the check and, if the withdrawal is refused, explain why and how to challenge it.

The State Department of Education is still developing the new forms, so check with CSDE or your district before the 2027–28 school year for the final process.

Equivalent instruction must cover the subjects Connecticut public schools are required to teach for this purpose: reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, United States history, and citizenship, including the study of town, state and federal governments.

State law does not set a minimum number of days or hours for home instruction, and you choose your own curriculum and materials. Public Act 26-37 does not add new subjects.

Connecticut does not require homeschooled children to take state tests or to be evaluated. CSDE's procedures describe an annual portfolio review with district staff, but participation is voluntary.

Even without a legal requirement, it's sensible to keep a record of attendance, the materials you used and samples of your child's work. Records make it easier to show equivalent instruction if a question ever comes up, and to return to school or apply to college later.

Connecticut doesn't set graduation requirements for home instruction, so you decide when your teen has completed high school and you can issue your own diploma and transcript.

Keep a running transcript listing courses, credits and grades for each year, plus course descriptions and reading lists. Colleges and employers usually accept a parent-issued transcript, but check each college's admission requirements for homeschool applicants early, as some ask for test scores or other evidence.

Connecticut has no state law giving homeschooled students a right to join public school classes, sports or activities; access depends on your local district's policy. An earlier version of HB 5468 would have let parent-managed learners take part in some public school activities, but that provision was removed before the bill passed.

If you think your child may have a disability, contact your local district: under the federal IDEA, districts must locate and evaluate children in their area who may need special education, including children who are not enrolled in public school.

Connecticut has statewide homeschool organizations as well as many local co-ops and support groups, both secular and faith-based. Public libraries are another good starting point for classes and community.

Because Public Act 26-37 is being phased in, keep an eye on CSDE and your district for the new forms and dates. HSLDA has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education about the law's DCF referral provisions, so details could still change.