ConnecticutParents may manage children's learning outside schools under district rules
Parents may choose public school, a nonpublic school, or parent-managed learning, and districts begin collecting yearly school-plan forms for covered children in 2028.
What it does
Parents or guardians must report each covered child's school plan to the district each year. Families choosing a nonpublic school must provide proof of attendance.
A child may leave public school for parent-managed learning only after the district checks adults living with the child for certain abuse records. A listed record or open investigation blocks the withdrawal.
Nonpublic schools must file yearly attendance reports with the Education Commissioner for their students' attendance to count under state school attendance rules. They do not have to report finances.
Argument forParents may choose public school, a nonpublic school, or learning managed by a parent or guardian for children who are not high school graduates.
Argument againstFamilies may face a barrier to switching to parent-managed learning if an adult living with the child is on the abuse registry or under investigation.
More detail
Parents or guardians must tell the school district each year whether a covered child will attend public school, attend a nonpublic school, or receive parent-managed learning. The yearly form covers children in public or nonpublic school, certain children receiving parent-managed learning, and children whose parent or guardian signed an option form for the prior school year. For a child attending a nonpublic school, the parent or guardian must provide evidence of attendance. Public school attendance or the school's annual attendance report counts as completing the form. The yearly form requirement starts with the school year beginning July 1, 2028. Families moving into a district must file within 14 days, and families withdrawing from a nonpublic school must update the form.
A parent or guardian withdrawing a child from public school for parent-managed learning must appear at the district office and sign a form; the superintendent must arrange a records check with the Department of Children and Families. This process applies when a child enrolled in public school is being withdrawn for parent-managed learning. The check covers each person age 18 or older who lives with the child. If any such person is on the state child abuse and neglect registry or under investigation for abuse or neglect, the withdrawal cannot take effect. The superintendent or designee must tell the parent or guardian whether the withdrawal is effective and, if it is not, provide the reason and information on how to challenge the finding. The withdrawal process applies starting with the school year beginning July 1, 2027. The superintendent must arrange the check within two business days of receiving the form and give a decision within five business days after the check begins.
Nonpublic schools must file yearly student attendance reports with the Education Commissioner for their students' attendance to count under state school attendance rules. This rule applies to nonpublic schools as defined in section 10-184. The commissioner sets the filing times and forms. Schools must also provide other reports required of public schools, but they do not have to report finances. This reporting rule takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26SIGNED BY Governor Ned LamontBecame Law
- May 15TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNORTo Governor
- May 15TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE
- May 14PUBLIC ACT 26-37
- May 4IN CONCURRENCE
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 257. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 252. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 255. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 256. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 258. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 261. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 259. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 254. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 260. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Roll Call Vote 253. Result: fail.Upper
- May 4SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. APassed Senate
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. IMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. HMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. GMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. FMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. EMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. DMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. CMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. BMinor
- May 4SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. AMinor
- May 4SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. AMajor
- Apr 27FILE NO. 724
- Apr 27SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 461
- Apr 27FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.Minor
- Apr 23HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. APassed House
- Vote recorded House Roll Call Vote. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded House Roll Call Vote 99. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 23HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. BMinor
- Apr 23HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. AMajor
- Apr 20TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDARMinor
- Apr 20NO NEW FILE BY COMM. ON Appropriations
- Apr 20RPTD. OUT OF LCO
- Apr 20FILED WITH LCOMinor
- Apr 17Joint FavorableMinor
- Apr 14REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations
- Apr 7FILE NO. 420
- Apr 7HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 304
- Apr 7FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDARMinor
- Apr 7RPTD. OUT OF LCO
- Mar 30REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/07/26Minor
- Mar 20FILED WITH LCOMinor
- Mar 18Joint Favorable SubstituteMinor
- Mar 6PUBLIC HEARING 0311
- Mar 5REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON EducationIntroduced
Education