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Guide to Homeschooling in Connecticut

Homeschooling has been legal in all 50 states since 1993, and since then, an increasing number of families have turned to homeschool for their children’s education. Each state has its own homeschool laws and guidelines as well as support groups and other resources that help parents and students throughout their homeschool journey.

Power Homeschool’s guide to homeschool will help families in Connecticut jump-start their homeschool journey.

Homeschool Laws and Requirements in Connecticut

Each state has different rules regarding a parent’s ability to homeschool their children and all the laws that they must follow.

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Homeschool Groups and Support in Connecticut

Some of the best resources to help homeschool families be successful are homeschool associations, support groups, and co-ops.  

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How to Start Homeschooling in Connecticut

If you have decided that homeschool is a good fit for your family, you are probably wondering how to get started with the whole process.  

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Field Trips Available to Homeschoolers in Connecticut

The flexibility to go on more field trips is one of the many perks of homeschooling.  

Find out what Connecticut has to offer!

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Resources

Connecticut Homeschool Laws and Requirements

Homeschoolers in Connecticut have several options to legally homeschool their students. First, home educators must cover various required subjects: reading, writing, spelling, grammar, science, arithmetic, U.S. history, citizenship, and geography. Although covering the required subjects are the only state-mandated requirements, Connecticut suggests several additional measures for parents, such as submitting a notice of intent to homeschool, sending a withdrawal notice to the school district’s superintendent, and attending an annual portfolio review.

For more information about homeschooling in Connecticut, the Home School Legal Defense Association and CT.gov are both resources that outline the guidelines and options for home instruction.

Detailed-Reports-for-Parents

RECORD KEEPING

Homeschoolers in Connecticut are not required to keep records of their children’s education. However, it is a good idea to keep files of all pertinent information regarding each child’s education, especially if a parent elects to attend an annual portfolio review.

Power Homeschool makes it easy to keep thorough records of each student’s homeschool education, including attendance, samples of coursework, and progress reports. You can access all of this information via the Acellus app. We also suggest maintaining immunization records and standardized assessment results. All of these documents make it easier for students when they finish high school and move on to college, trade school, or employment.

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HOMESCHOOL STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS IN CONNECTICUT

Although Connecticut does not require homeschool students to participate in standardized assessments. Some parents, however, choose to have their students take standardized tests to measure their progress, find potential gaps in their knowledge, and compare their performance to traditionally school peers.

The Connecticut Summative Assessment System includes various tests, including Connecticut Smarter Balanced Assessment and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). If homeschoolers plan on attending college, they will be required to take the SAT or ACT, depending on the college or university they want to go to.

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HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS IN CONNECTICUT

In Connecticut, parents establish the graduation requirements for their homeschool students and issue their diploma. We recommend setting these requirements based on your plans after graduation. If your student wants to attend college or trade school, you should research their homeschool eligibility requirements for homeschoolers. This will ensure they are meeting requirements throughout their high school education. Students can also take the GED test, but a homeschool-issued diploma is legally equivalent to that of one issued by the school district.

Resources

Homeschool Support & Groups in Connecticut

Even before homeschooling was legalized, networks of parents began to form to lobby for the right to homeschool and provide support to other homeschoolers in the region. 

Homeschooling associations, support groups, and cooperatives (co-ops) all exist to enhance the homeschool process for both parents and students. Connecticut has two statewide homeschool associations that offer a variety of benefits and resources to home educators.

      • Connecticut Homeschool Network (CHN) is a homeschool organization that aims to help home educators in Connecticut. CHN memberships are free for any homeschoolers and include numerous perks, including discounts, teaching resources, and special events.
      • The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers of Connecticut (TEACH) provides information and resources to homeschooling families center around Christian beliefs. Membership benefits to TEACH involve an ID card, discounted admission to sponsored events, local support groups, and a platform for home educators to buy and sell homeschooling materials and supplies.

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

How to Start Homeschooling in Connecticut

Making decisions about your child’s education never comes easy. Luckily, there are many different resources and tools out there to help you start transitioning to homeschool. We encourage you to formally withdraw your student from their current school as well as file a notice of intent to homeschool.

Once you have the necessary paperwork filed, you’ll need to create a homeschool curriculum or choose one of the many programs available for purchase. Power Homeschool is an online curriculum for K-12 students with virtual courses in math, science, social studies, and language arts and reading as well as electives and foreign languages. In addition to online courses, Power Homeschool provides a variety of tools and resources that help both parents and students.

Join thousands of parents that homeschool with our self-paced, interactive courses.

Resources

Homeschool Field Trips in Connecticut

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility and freedom to set your own schedule. Since homeschoolers are not confined to a traditional school schedule, they have more time to go on field trips and partake in educational opportunities that enhance what they learn in their lessons. Since Connecticut is on the East Coast and one of the 13 original U.S. colonies, the state is near many national monuments, museums, and historical sites. The following are just a few examples of field trips in Connecticut:

      • Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington: With various indoor and outdoor exhibits, this museum and research center is dedicated to researching and preserving the traditions and knowledge of Native American cultures.
      • White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield: Touring the museum and exploring 4,000 acres of land is the perfect way to learn about the region’s natural habitat. With numerous outdoor activities, this field trip is sure to be fun for the whole family.
      • Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford: Learn about one of America’s most famous authors with guided tours of the place Mark Twain called home for almost two decades. Special events and writing programs are also available.
      • Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill: Learn about the species that roamed the earth over 200 million years ago at one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Complete with various exhibits and a large geodesic dome, this is the perfect field trip to learn about fossils, geology, and extinct species.
      • Connecticut Science Center in Hartford: Students can discover many different STEM-related topics with hands-on exhibits and interactive activities, including Forces in Motion, Butterfly Encounter, Engineering Lab, and so much more.
      • Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford: Homeschoolers can learn about the government and history of their home state by touring the capitol building and historical displays. Guided tours are available on weekdays and start in the Legislative Office Building.
      • Mystic Aquarium in Mystic: Home to penguins, sharks, and so many more aquatic species, this aquarium allows homeschoolers to view these beautiful creatures and learn about the importance of conservation. Educational and family programs are available for students of all ages.
      • Connecticut Historical Society Museum in Hartford: As the state’s official historical society, visitors can tour exhibits and learn more about Connecticut’s history and culture. Homeschool Days are available for students to participate in educational workshops and connect with other homeschoolers.
      • Bruce Museum in Greenwich: This museum features art, science, and natural history through various changing exhibits and permanent galleries. Special events, youth programs, and festivals offer even more educational opportunities to homeschool students.
      • Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport: As an almost hundred-year-old zoo, the Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to the preservation of endangered animals through education, conservation, and research. Animal species at this zoo include the African Grey Parrot, Amur Leopard, Pale-Faced Saki Monkey, and many more.

At Power Homeschool, we offer resources and tools that help both students and parents throughout their homeschooling journey. Contact us if you have any questions about our online homeschool curriculum or how to get started with Power Homeschool today!

 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this web page is for general information purposes only. The information provided does not constitute legal advice and may not contain the most up-to-date information.

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