Connecticut Special Education Requirements
What special education requirements does Connecticut have beyond federal law?
Connecticut has several significant special education requirements that exceed or differ from the federal IDEA baseline. The most critical state-specific requirements are: (1) Evaluation timeline: 45 school days from referral, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent (RCSA § 10-76d-13); (2) Recording: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d applies to telephone communications only — district policies vary for in-person PPT meetings; (3) FAPE through the end of the school year when a student turns age 22: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended by Public Act 23-137; (4) PPT terminology: Connecticut uses 'Planning and Placement Team' (PPT) rather than 'IEP Team'; (5) SERC mediation: the Special Education Resource Center provides free mediation services statewide; (6) Approved Private Special Education Programs (APSEPs): Connecticut has a robust APSEP system for students whose FAPE cannot be provided by the LEA; (7) ESY using regression/recoupment standard: Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-15; (8) Restraint/seclusion under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-150 to 46a-154 with same-day parent notification; (9) SLD eligibility via SRBI only — discrepancy model prohibited: Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76a-2; and (10) Appeals of due process decisions to state Superior Court within 90 days.
What Connecticut Requires
CRITICAL — CT-specific evaluation timeline: 45 school days from referral, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent — the most important Connecticut deviation from federal law (RCSA § 10-76d-13).
Recording: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-570d applies to telephone communications only. There is no state statute prohibiting recording of in-person PPT meetings — district policies vary.
FAPE is guaranteed through the end of the school year during which a student turns age 22 in Connecticut — Public Act 23-137 extended eligibility beyond the prior age 21 limit (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended by PA 23-137).
Connecticut uses 'Planning and Placement Team' (PPT) rather than 'IEP Team' — used throughout all CT special education law and regulations.
SERC (Special Education Resource Center) provides free statewide mediation and dispute resolution services as an alternative to due process.
Approved Private Special Education Programs (APSEPs) are a significant placement option when LEAs cannot provide FAPE; subject to CSDE approval and oversight (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(e)).
ESY services are determined by the PPT using the regression/recoupment standard (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-15).
Physical restraint and seclusion are governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-150 to 46a-154, with same-school-day parent notification required.
Key Timelines
45 school days from referral: evaluation must be completed and PPT convened, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent (RCSA § 10-76d-13).
End of school year when student turns age 22: FAPE eligibility ends (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(1) as amended by PA 23-137).
Age 18: educational rights transfer to student unless conservator/guardian appointed (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(a)(4)).
Age 14: transition planning must be addressed in the IEP (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d, effective July 1, 2021).
Same school day: parent notification after restraint or seclusion when practicable (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-153b).
Annual: PPT review of IEP (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-12).
3 years: triennial reevaluation (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-10).
90 days: appeal of due process decision to Superior Court or federal district court (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76h(c)).