6172.3 6172.3Instruction
Home Schooling
Educational Instruction under Parental Direction
The Board of Education recognizes the right of parents to fulfill their obligation to ensure an education for their children by schooling them at home. However, the Board believes that formal education in the public schools is highly beneficial both for the child and for the society, and it therefore instructs the school administration to work cooperatively with home-schooling parents.
Specifically, home-schooled children may attend on a part-time basis only where such attendance does not interfere either directly or indirectly with the education of children formally enrolled in the schools on a full time basis. It is understood that the public schools has no obligation under the law to provide services to children who are being home schooled and that the decision to do so is at the sole discretion of the Board of Education. No special education or related services shall be provided to a child who is home schooled.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-184 Duties of parents
10-184a Special education programs not required for children in home or private schools
10-220 Duties of boards of education
Policy adopted: June 3, 2008
Instruction
Home Schooling
Suggested Procedures for Home Instruction
The following procedures have been developed in order to assist parents and local Boards of Education to work together in such a way as to assure children receive the education to which they are entitled by law. We would deem compliance with these suggested procedures as satisfying the requirements of Sections 10-184 and 10-220 of the General Statutes.
In determining whether the education provided a child is equivalent to the instruction provided in the local schools, it is recommended that the local Board of Education observe the following procedures:
1. Parents must file with the Superintendent of Schools in the town in which they reside, a State Department of Education developed Notice of Intent form which provides basic information about the program to be provided to their child. A Notice of Intent will be effective for up to one year (see attached).
2. Filing must occur within ten days of the start of the home instruction program.
3. The school district will receive the Notice of Intent, check it for completeness and keep it as part of the district's permanent records. A complete form will be one which provides basic program information including name of teacher, subjects to be taught and days of instruction, and the teacher's method of assessment.
4. A parent, by filing a Notice of Intent, acknowledges full responsibility for the education of their child in accordance with the requirements of state law. Receipt of a Notice of Intent in no way constitutes approval by a school district of the content or effectiveness or a program of home instruction.
5. If a parent fails to file a Notice of Intent or files an incomplete form, then a certified letter shall be sent to the parent requesting compliance within ten days.
6. Any continued refusal by the parent to comply with the reasonable request of the school district for completion and filing of the Notice of Intent may cause the child to be considered truant.
7. A school district should not accept nor require a Notice of Intent for any child younger than five years or older than eighteen years.
Regulation approved: June 3, 2008