Family Engagement Domain
Family Engagement Domain
State Legislation (2020 - 2026)
2026
- Public Act No. 26-68
- Allocates funding for family resource centers and the Learner Engagement Program.
- Public Act No. 26-106
- Addresses the implementation of a surrogate parent program, where students in foster care can be paired with a surrogate parent who will represent them in the education decision-making process.
- Public Act No. 26-1
- Establishes a multilingual learner bill of rights for parents/guardians and students, including translation services and DOE contact rights.
- Public Act No. 26-37
- Defines parent-managed learning and nonpublic schools, including DOE approval and attendance-reporting requirements.
- Requires DOE to develop and distribute intent-to-educate and withdrawal forms to local and regional boards of education.
- Public Act No. 26-18
- Establishes a fee-waiver grant program so high-need students can access advanced courses without parents being charged.
2025
- Public Act No. 25-93
- Requires SDE to establish a behavioral health support services grant program for special education students who experienced trauma or have behavioral health needs. School boards must partner with community service providers, including family service centers, and services may include trauma-informed care coordination and family outreach.
- Expands SDE’s chronic absenteeism prevention and intervention plan. The plan must be reviewed twice a year and include truancy procedures, early identification of students at risk of chronic absenteeism or disconnection, housing status data, mentorship models, and community partners.
- Requires a special education family guide, developed with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, to help parents/guardians understand special education laws and processes.
- Creates an Educational Ombudsperson to receive and resolve complaints from students and families.
2024
- Public Act No. 24-39
- Requires SDE and DSS to coordinate family resource center programs for parents/caregivers who receive temporary family assistance.
- Public Act summary
2023
- Public Act No. 23-160
- The Commissioner of Education shall convene a Family and Community Engagement in Education Council. The Council shall (1) advise the commissioner on issues and policies related to family and community engagement in education, (2) provide parent and community feedback on products and initiatives offered by the Department of Education
- Public Acts No. 23-167 and 208
- Requires alliance districts to report the cost of creating a family resource center in each of its elementary schools; requires SDE to publish each alliance district’s improvement plan.
- Public Act summary
2022
- Public Act No. 22-87
- The act requires SDE and DPH to develop a uniform parental notification policy and form for boards of education to use in informing parents of high school students about the Connecticut School Health Survey, including opt-out instructions and a survey link. Schools must now administer the Survey, leading to more robust and representative data.
- Public Act summary
2021
- Public Act No. 21-46
- Requires SDE to develop and annually update information concerning educational, safety, mental health, and food insecurity resources and programs available for students and their families.
- Public Act summary
- Public Act No. 21-168
- SDE shall provide a voluntary family history questionnaire to be distributed during the school year to assist in the identification of students who are at risk of reading proficiency challenges.
- Public Act summary
- Public Act No. 21-199
- Requires SDE to revise and issue to local and regional boards of education guidance regarding changes to student success plans created, if possible, in collaboration with each student and their parent or guardian.
- Public Act summary
State Programs
All State Programs
- Commissioner's Roundtable for Family and Community Engagement in Education
- Parents and other shareholders can voice to the commissioner of education the policies they wish to prioritize relating to enhancing family, school, and community partnerships.
- Educational Opportunities for Military Families
- This initiative helps alleviate certain educational challenges children of military parents may experience as a result of school transfers and other stressors.
- Family Resource Centers (FRC)
- FRCs provide comprehensive support for families and child development services in school buildings. In 2022, there were 57 current FRCs across CT public schools. Supported by Public Act No. 24-39; No. 23-167; No. 23-208 (revision to 23-167; see above)
- Learner Engagement Program (LEAP)
- LEAP involves home visitors sent to students’ homes to help engage them and their families. Supported by Public Act No. 22-118 and 23-204 ($7 million each) and Public Act No. 22-80 - Sec. 13 (SDE provides assistance to districts)
- School Governance Councils
- Governance councils are tasked with engaging families and schools in discussions that promote student success and academic engagement.
- School-Family-Community Partnerships
- School-family-community partnerships work to provide parent education and support for learning at home, as well as to promote advocacy, community collaboration, and to create a welcoming climate with family volunteering.
- Youth Parents Program
- Youth parent programs provide daycare services to children of high-school students.
- Youth Service Bureaus
- YSBs offer parent training, family therapy, and alternative and special educational opportunities among other services to help divert at-risk youth from juvenile system involvement.
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- 21st Century programs offer parents literacy and educational services to those whose children participate in the main after-school enrichment program.
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