How to Homeschool in Connecticut

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Connecticut is a great place to begin your homeschool journey. The state has only a few homeschooling laws and is home to a variety of homeschool support groups to help you along. This article is here to help clarify Connecticut's requirements and make your exploration of homeschooling as stress free as possible. In this article you will find the following:

An overview of Connecticut homeschool laws
An introduction to homeschool groups in Oklahoma
A description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started

* This page does not contain legal advice and is not an endorsement of any homeschool groups listed. (see disclaimer)

Connecticut Homeschool Laws

The state requires you to include the following basic subjects in your curriculum:

reading
writing
spelling
English grammar
geography
arithmetic
United States history
citizenship (including a study of the town, state, and federal government)

Connecticut law also states that parents must show that their children are receiving instruction equivalent to a public school education. The state recommends that parents keep a portfolio of your child's progress. This portfolio can include lesson plans, sample work, test scores, etc. School district officials may review portfolios to ensure that children are receiving proper instruction.

The law also "suggests" that parents fill out a Notice of Intent (NOI), but this is not mandated. We have heard from families in CT that say many members of the homeschool community do not recommend filling this out since it is not required or mandated. Instead of a Notice of Intent, some members suggest a Letter of Withdrawal. You can see more information and a sample Letter of Withdrawal from the CT Homeschool Network.

Otherwise, Connecticut has no specific requirements for parents' education, students taking standardized tests, or the keeping of attendance or vaccination records.

Homeschool Groups in Connecticut

Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Connecticut to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.

The Education Association of Christian Homeschoolers in CT (TEACH)

http://www.teachct.org/

TEACH is a statewide Christian homeschool group that provides information and resources about getting started in homeschooling, understanding Connecticut homeschooling laws, and more. TEACH also holds events such as conferences and conventions.

Connecticut Homeschool Network, Inc. (CHN)

http://cthomeschoolnetwork.org/

CHN is an inclusive online homeschool group that operates primarily online. The group provides a wide range of information about various educational approaches and needs. This statewide group hosts an annual conference, and it provides a variety of networking opportunities through its active Facebook group and message board.

CT Cooperative of Homeschool Educators East of the River (CT CHEER)

http://www.ct-cheer.com/

CT CHEER focuses on the eastern side of Connecticut and provides social and educational events. You can also network with others and get advice through their Yahoo group and online message board.

If you would like to recommend a new link or let us know about a problem with an existing link, please contact us

NOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.

A Homeschool Curriculum for Connecticut

Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Connecticut. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Connecticut legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:

Hands-on activities,
Differentiated options, and
Independent projects.

Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.

Choose an age level to continue:

Age 4-5

Age 5-7

Age 6-8

Age 7-9

Age 8-10

Age 9-11

Age 10-12

Age 11-13

Age 12-14

Disclaimers

Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.

Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.