Homebound and Hospitalized Instruction in Connecticut: A Guide for Families and Districts
Connecticut requires school districts to keep educating students who can't attend school for medical reasons, including mental health reasons. The state calls this homebound and hospitalized instruction. This guide explains who qualifies, what the physician's statement must say, how quickly instruction must start, and what happens when a district and a family disagree.
What the law says
The rules are in the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies at Sec. 10-76d-15, last amended in 2013. A board of education must provide instruction to a public school student who is unable to attend school due to a verified medical reason, which may include mental health issues.
Even though the rule sits in the special education regulations, it applies to all students. For a student without an IEP, no evaluation or IEP is required, and no Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meeting needs to be held.
Who qualifies
A student qualifies when their condition will keep them out of school for at least 10 consecutive school days, or when the condition may require short, repeated absences during the school year. The second option covers many students with chronic illnesses.
What the physician's statement must say
Connecticut's documentation rules are among the most specific in the Northeast. The student's treating physician must send a written statement directly to the board of education, on the district's own form, stating:
The physician has consulted with school health supervisory personnel and determined that attending school with reasonable accommodations is not feasible.
The student can't attend school due to a verified medical reason.
The student's diagnosis, with supporting documentation.
The student will be absent for at least 10 consecutive school days, or may need short, repeated absences during the year.
The expected date the student can return to school.
The first item trips up many families: the physician has to talk with school health staff before signing. A note that skips this step can be rejected.
How quickly instruction must start
Most students: no later than the 11th day of absence, as long as the district has received a statement meeting the requirements above. If the district gets notice before the absence begins, instruction can start earlier.
Medically complex students with disabilities: no later than the 3rd day of absence, if the student is medically able to receive instruction. "Medically complex" means a serious, ongoing illness or chronic condition lasting at least a year that requires prolonged or intermittent hospitalization and ongoing medical treatment or devices.
Minimum instruction hours
Grades K–6: at least 1 hour per day or 5 hours per week.
Grades 7–12: at least 2 hours per day or 10 hours per week.
Ages 3–5 with disabilities: as determined by the PPT.
Hours can be increased or decreased if evaluation data supports it, by agreement between the parent and the district or by the PPT. Instruction can happen at home, in the hospital, or at another site such as the town library, depending on the student's medical condition.
Instruction must keep the student on track in the core academic subjects required for promotion or graduation. For students with IEPs, it must also support progress toward their IEP goals, and the PPT should adjust short-term objectives where needed.
When the district disagrees
This is where Connecticut differs from most states. If the district questions the physician's basis for homebound instruction, the student still receives instruction while the dispute is reviewed. The district's school medical advisor or another qualified health professional reviews the statement and may consult the treating physician.
Parents must give consent for that consultation. The district doesn't have to start instruction until consent is provided.
If disagreement continues, the district may pay for an independent medical review. If the parent doesn't make the student available for it, the district's obligation ends.
Either side can request a due process hearing or mediation.
The state enforces this. In a 2026 complaint decision, Connecticut's Department of Education found a district in violation for suspending homebound instruction while it sought clarification from a physician, instead of continuing instruction during the review. The district was ordered to provide 30 hours of compensatory education and train its staff.
A checklist for families
Ask the school for its homebound instruction form. Connecticut requires the physician to use the district's form.
Make sure your child's physician consults with the school nurse or health staff before completing it.
Confirm the form includes the diagnosis, supporting documentation, and an expected return date.
Instruction should start by the 11th day of absence. Keep track of the dates.
If the district questions the request, ask that instruction continue during the review, and give consent for the district's health professional to talk with your physician.
For districts: staffing homebound instruction
With instruction due by the 11th day of absence, the 3rd day for medically complex students, and required to continue during disputes, districts need teachers who can start fast. Einstein Tutoring partners with districts and treatment facilities to provide in-person homebound and hospital instruction, with most students placed within 3 days. See our homebound instruction FAQ for common questions.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the full text of Sec. 10-76d-15 and your district's procedures.
Looking for another state? See our homebound instruction rules by state for guides covering every Northeast state.
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