Legal Articles, General Practice
What Rights Do I Have under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in Connecticut?
What Rights Do I Have under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in Connecticut?
Am I Allowed Access to My Child’s School Records in Connecticut?
Am I Allowed Access to My Child’s School Records in Connecticut?
Does Freedom of Speech Still Exist in Public Schools in Connecticut?
Does Freedom of Speech Still Exist in Public Schools in Connecticut?
Your Child’s Residency Status
Local and regional boards of education are statutorily required to provide free school accommodations to each child who is a permanent resident of the school district and is between the ages of five (5) and twenty-one (21) years old, provided they have not graduated high school. School administrators should (but do not always) determine your child’s residency status prior to his or her enrollment in the school district. If residency issues arise, your child’s school district has the right to exclude him or her from attending school if it is determined through a formal hearing (which will be discussed below) that your child resides in another district.
Expulsion Procedures: Readmission to School
An expelled pupil may apply for early readmission to school. Such readmission shall be at the discretion of the local or regional board of education. The board of education may, however, delegate authority for readmission decisions to the superintendent of schools for the school district. If the board delegates such authority, readmission shall be at the discretion of the superintendent. Readmission decisions shall not be subject to appeal to Superior Court. The board or superintendent, as appropriate, may condition such readmission on specified criteria.
School Learning Environment
Connecticut Public Act No. 08-160, An Act Concerning School Learning Environment, is of interest to parents of school-age children and, in particular, parents of children with special needs.
What Does a Court Consider When Deciding an Educational Support Order in Connecticut?
What Does a Court Consider When Deciding an Educational Support Order in Connecticut?
What is a Child’s Planning and Placement Team (PPT)?
Under Connecticut law, the Planning and Placement Team, or PPT, is a critical component in determining your child’s special education needs and the services to be provided. The IDEA refers to this resource as the Individualized Education Program Team (“IEP Team”). The PPT will be involved in most every request or decision made pertaining to your child, including: determining whether your child should be evaluated, and deciding which evaluations will be given to your child and whether your child is eligible for special education and related services. As a parent, you will be asked to participate as a member of the PPT. Parents should participate, since you can provide unique and valuable insight into your child’s special education needs.
Educational Expenses in Divorce
Educational expenses in divorce include expenses associated with higher education. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-56c, an educational support order is defined as an order requiring a parent to provide support for a child or children to attend, for up to four full academic years, an institution of higher education or a private occupational school for the purpose of attaining a bachelor’s or other undergraduate degree, or other appropriate vocational instruction.