State & Federal Resources
In Connecticut local and regional Boards of Education have direct control over
the education of students in public schools. They must operate under both
Federal and Connecticut State laws, and The CT and US Departments of Education
have oversight responsibilities.
In addition to the laws both Departments issue regulations controlling how the
statutes are to be implemented. Below is a list of some of the most important
relevant laws and regulations with links to access them. We have also included
links to many of the government entities responsible for enforcement and policy
making in these areas.
United States Laws and Federal Regulations
General Education – All Students
The primary law for public education in the US is called the
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
The regulations for ESSA are in two parts:
1.)
Title I, Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged, Academic Assessments
2.)
Every Student Succeeds - Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority
You can also refer to the
ESSA Fact Sheet.
Special Education
The Federal Law covering the education of students with disabilities is the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA Regulations: IDEA is broken into two elements, Part B covering
students in schools, and Part C covering infants and toddlers from birth to age 3.
Part B Regulations
Part C Regulations
For more information, see the
U.S. Department of Educations IDEA resource page.
Disability Discrimination Laws and Resources
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Regulations
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations
Office of Civil Rights Disability Discrimination
Homeless Education Resources
McKinney Vento Law and Regulations
McKinney Vento Resources from the National Center for Homeless Education
Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) covers family rights to
view and correct all student records.
FERPA Regulations
FERPA Resources
The U.S. Department of Education issues
letters to clarify FERPA that can be found here.
State of Connecticut Laws and Regulations
United States laws like IDEA and ADA provide a framework for states to provide legal rights and responsibilities for students and schools. Connecticut also has some laws that impact students including regulations for special education.
Connecticut Special Education Statutes (Starts at 10-76a)
Connecticut Special Education Regulations
CT laws on Suspension and Expulsion (See section 10-233)
Connecticut also has a
State Advisory Council for Special Education (SAC)
which meets to discuss issues in Connecticut. This link includes more information,
minutes, and agendas for the SAC.
A recent copy of the Connecticut Education Laws as of January 2015 is available from our friends at the
Center for Children's Advocacy. Please note that our state laws can be changed every year so please
confirm the section you use has not been changed since 2015.
Download CT Education Laws (2015)
Initiatives for improvement occur at both the state and national level. In
CT there are stakeholders groups meeting around:
- Creating documents to clarify the Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) process
- How to improve low attendance rates in all students, including early childhood programs and especially for students with disabilities
- Studying school finance issues