Senator Jason Perillo Advocates for Protections for Homeschool Families

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) today stands with his Republican lawmaker colleagues as they criticize democratic lawmakers for their overreach of power that punishes parents for the failure of state institutions.

The proposal, discussed in an informational hearing at the State Capitol, would require new government-mandated reporting for families who homeschool their children, without holding a formal public hearing on the issue or offering meaningful opportunities for parent input.

“I’ve always believed that parents—not the government—should decide how their children are educated, and that includes the choice to homeschool,” said Sen. Perillo. “The tragic failures in Waterbury were the result of serious breakdowns in state oversight—not homeschooling. To respond by placing new burdens on the 40,000 families across Connecticut who are successfully and responsibly educating their children at home is both misguided and unjust.”

The proposal has sparked widespread concern among parents and advocates for educational freedom, who say the plan would place unnecessary strain on families while doing nothing to address the root causes of child welfare failures within state agencies.

“These families deserve support, not suspicion,” Sen. Perillo continued. “Homeschooling in Connecticut is working. Parents are choosing personalized, flexible education paths that meet the unique needs of their children—and they’re seeing excellent results. The state should be focused on fixing what’s broken, not micromanaging what’s working.”

Senator Perillo is committed to protecting parental rights and educational freedom, vowing to oppose any effort to expand government control at the expense of family autonomy.

“This is about more than homeschooling,” he said. “It’s about standing up for every family’s right to make the best decisions for their children without unnecessary interference from the state.”