Homeschool alum exposes abuse and neglect in Connecticut's education system

The Connecticut State Legislature held an informational hearing on homeschooling on May 5, 2025, where significant concerns regarding the current homeschooling regulations were raised. The meeting featured testimonies from individuals with personal experiences in homeschooling, highlighting the need for legislative reform to ensure the safety and educational quality for homeschooled children.

One of the key speakers, a former homeschooled student and certified recovery support specialist, shared her harrowing story of educational neglect and abuse. She described her experience being homeschooled under a strict evangelical Christian community, where her education was largely self-directed and controlled by her parents. The speaker emphasized that the lack of oversight in Connecticut's homeschooling laws allowed for significant gaps in educational quality and safety, stating that parents are not required to demonstrate qualifications or maintain proper educational records.

The speaker pointed out that the existing statute permits parents to homeschool without stringent requirements, which can lead to situations where children are not receiving an education equivalent to that of public school students. She recounted how her mother manipulated her educational records to present a false narrative of her learning, while in reality, she was subjected to outdated and misleading information. This lack of accountability, she argued, contributed to her feelings of isolation and neglect.

Additionally, the speaker criticized the homeschooling organization Classical Conversations, which her parents enrolled her in, for its high costs and inadequate educational support. She expressed that the curriculum did not prepare her for adult life and was often filled with complex and biased content. The emotional toll of her experience was evident as she described the bullying from other parents and the absence of social services typically available to students in traditional schooling.

The hearing underscored the urgent need for legislative action to address these issues, with advocates calling for more robust regulations to protect homeschooled children from potential abuse and to ensure they receive a quality education. The testimonies presented at the meeting aim to inform lawmakers as they consider reforms to the homeschooling framework in Connecticut, with the hope of creating a safer and more equitable educational environment for all students.