Laws/Regulations

Connecticut School Choice Laws

Interdistrict Magnet Schools

Connecticut General Statutes Title 10 - Section 10-264l provides criteria for authorization of grants for the operation of interdistrict magnet schools and student enrollment.

Summary of Sections 10-264l through Section 10-264q.

• Section 10-264l(a)(2)(E) defines an interdistrict magnet school as a program that:(i) supports racial, ethnic and economic diversity, (ii) offers a special and high quality curriculum, and (iii) requires students who are enrolled to attend at least half-time.
• Section10-264l(b)(2) sets forth conditions for the Commissioner of Education determination of whether an application for an interdistrict magnet school should be approved and funded.
• Section 10-264l(c)sets forth the maximum statutory amounts payable to eligible interdistrict magnet schools as an operating grant for appropriately enrolled students.
• Section 10-264i provides the statutory authority for payment of a per pupil interdistrict magnet school transportation grant.
• Section 10-264i(4) and (5) authorizes payment of an additional or supplemental transportation grant to regional educational service centers (RESCs) interdistrict magnet school operators that transport enrolled students.
• Section10-264hauthorizes eligibility for reimbursement of capital expenditures for interdistrict magnet school facilities.
• Section10-264h(a) currently permits a state reimbursement rate of up to 80 percent of the eligible costs of any interdistrict magnet school capital expenditure under certain guidelines.
• Section 10-264l(b)(1) requires the Commissioner of Education to submit a comprehensive statewide plan (Plan) for Connecticut interdistrict magnet schools to the Connecticut General Assembly.
• Section 10-264qrequires interdistrict magnet schools failing to reach the requisite racial enrollment compliance percentage to submit a compliance plan to the Commissioner.

Public Acts

• Public Act 17-172 An Act Concerning the Establishment of Reduced-Isolation Setting Standards for Interdistrict Magnet School Programs Opens in a new window
• Public Act 16-139 An Act Concerning Magnet School Tuition
• Public Act 97-290 Enhancing Education Choices and Opportunities Act established, within available appropriations, a statewide interdistrict public school choice program to improve academic achievement; reduce racial, ethnic, and economic isolation or preserve racial and ethnic balance; and provide students with a choice of educational programs.

Open Choice Program

Connecticut General Statutes Title 10 - Section 10-266aa provides criteria for authorization of grants for the operation of interdistrict public school attendance program.

Summary of Sections 10-266aa through Section 10-266(o).

• Section 10-266aa(b)(1) (2) defines the interdistrict public school program as (1) improve academic achievement; (2) reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation or preserve racial and ethnic balance; and (3) provide a choice of educational programs.
• Section 10-266aa(c)(1)(2)(3) sets forth conditions of participating districts, when they can participate and the regional educational centers that will operate such programs.
• Section 10-266aa(e) provides statutory authority for payment to the regional educational service centers to administer the program.
• Section 10-266aa(f) provides statutory authority for payment to the regional educational service centers for transportation for students participating in the program and to offset transportation costs that exceed the maximum amount.
• Section 10-266aa(g)(2) authorizes statutory authority for per pupil reimbursement to the participating school districts.
• Section 10-266aa(i) authorizes additional per pupil additional reimbursement to out-of-district student who requires special education and related services.
• Section 10-266aa (k)(3) requires the Commissioner of Education to determine if enrollment is below the number of students for which funds are appropriated, such funds cannot lapse, and the Commissioner can use such funds accordingly.
• Section 10-266aa(l) authorizes nonlapsing funds to be used as supplemental grants to schools that serve ten or more students in the program. Section 10-266aa(m) authorizes the Commissioner within appropriation to make grants to the regional school service centers to provide summer educational program for participating students.
• Section 10-266aa(n) authorizes the Commissioner to provide grants in the Hartford program for participating preschool and all day kindergarten students.
• Section 10-266aa(o) authorizes the Commissioner within appropriation to make grants for academic student support in order to meet the goals of Sheff v. O’Neill stipulation and order.

Public Act

• Public Act 23-208, Section 1An Act Making Certain Revisions to the Education Statues requires that children turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to be automatically eligible for kindergarten.

Charter Schools

• Section 10-66aaCharter Schools Definitions.
• Section 10-66bbApplication process and requirements. Initial certificate of approval for charter. Charter renewal. Probation. Revocation. Enrollment lottery; exceptions.
• Section 10-66cctrategic school profile report. Report on school's progress.
• Section 10-66ddSchool professionals and persons holding charter school educator permits employed in charter schools. Charter schools subject to laws governing public schools; exceptions; waivers. Participation in the state teacher retirement system.

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS)

• Section 10-95Technical Education and Career School System.
• Section 10-97Transportation to technical education and career schools.

Agricultural Science and Technology Education (ASTE) Programs

• Section 10-64Establishment of regional agricultural science and technology education centers. Moratorium; exception. Tuition and transportation.
• Section 10-65Grants for constructing and operating agricultural science and technology education centers. Tuition charges.