Jay Case

HARTFORD – On Monday, it was inspiring to see so many passionate and engaged parents gather at the Legislative Office Building to defend their right to homeschool. When families unite to advocate for their children, it sends a clear and powerful message: government should not dictate how children are educated or decide what environment is best for their growth.

The recent tragedy in Waterbury—where a child in crisis was gravely let down by the Department of Children and Families—is a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of effective oversight. However, using this incident to criticize the homeschooling community is both misguided and unfair.

State Representative Jay Case underscored that the real issue lies with the failure of state intervention systems—not with homeschooling as a practice.

“Families who choose to homeschool aren’t avoiding accountability—they’re choosing what they believe to be the most effective, safe, and supportive educational path for their children. These are committed, caring parents who are deeply invested in their children’s well-being,” Case said.

“Our focus should be on repairing the systems that failed—not on blaming communities that are simply trying to do what’s best for their families.”