ENFIELD, CT (WGGB/WSHM) -- The death of 12-year-old Eve Rogers in Enfield is sparking debate about the laws around homeschooling. Rogers’ stepfather has been charged with sexual assault and risk of injury in connection with her death.

The case has highlighted differences in how Connecticut and Massachusetts regulate homeschooling, with some calling for stronger oversight while others defend parental freedom.

Julie and Rob Caprera homeschool their children, joining about one percent of other Massachusetts parents who take on the role of teacher. “I didn’t want to live a life of regret,” Rob Caprera said. “We weren’t anti-the public school. We just thought we could do more.”

“My personal hero has always been the homeschool mom because she steps out of her comfort zone to do something for which she has no training because she loves her children,” Julie Caprera added.

Massachusetts has been governed by the same homeschooling law since 1987. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association rates the state as one of only three “high regulation” states in the country. Parents almost always have to check-in at the start and end of every school year.

Parents must provide proof of instruction through teacher evaluations, written reports, or standardized tests. “If there’s any concerns about the child’s educational progress, there’s another built-in opportunity every year for the school district to interact with them,” said Peter Kamakawiwoole, director of litigation for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Connecticut is considered “low regulation” by the group. In general, Massachusetts requires parents to tell the state the child will be homeschooled, has required subjects, and mandatory assessments. Connecticut only has a rule about the necessary subjects. “Currently, we have a framework that exists for all children except these children,” said Connecticut Democratic State Rep. Jen Leeper, chair of the Connecticut General Assembly’s education committee.

Connecticut State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, a Republican on the education committee, said, “If somebody is that evil, they are that evil.”

In Massachusetts, the school board maintains regular contact with homeschooling families. In Connecticut, there is minimal interaction. “The biggest concern is that currently a parent can tell the district that they are going to homeschool their child, remove the child from school or never bring the child to school at all, and then there is no check of any kind after that,” said Connecticut State Child Advocate Christina Ghio.

Homeschooled children often don’t have teachers they can turn to if things are bad at home. Data shows about three-in-five children who are abused by their homeschooler only have their case come to light after the child is already dead or has suffered serious harm. That number comes from the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, which analyzed over 500 of these cases and found over 230 homeschool deaths.

“They do pop up every once in a while. Unfortunately, it’s really tragic when they do, but the frequency is not all that. There’s no statistical evidence to indicate that abuse happens in the homeschooling community any higher than it occurs in any other community,” Kamakawiwoole explained.

The nonprofit Homeschool Legal Defense Association gives parents everything from homeschool recordkeeping forms to podcasting episodes. “If a parent is providing instruction, for instance, in the required subjects, it doesn’t matter whether they’re teaching those subjects from a religious or a non-religious perspective, choice of curriculum, things like that,” Kamakawiwoole added. “The key thing is that they need to evaluate whether education is occurring, not what that education looks like.”

Julie Caprera said homeschooling is not easy. “We’ve had almost every struggle,” she said. However, for families like the Capreras, it’s still worth it. “Our philosophy was that every day is a school day, every trip is a field trip, and every person you meet is an encounter. Everybody has a story. The best way to learn was not by reading information and regurgitating it,” she added.

Connecticut’s House Bill 5468, which would tighten homeschool regulations, passed the education committee last month and is moving toward a full house and senate vote.

If you or someone you know may be being abused, call the Childhelp hotline at 800-422-4453.