How to homeschool in New York

Home instruction (IHIP + quarterly reports) · N.Y. Educ. Law §§ 3204, 3210, 3212; 8 NYCRR § 100.10

The only homeschool option in New York. Parents notify the district each year, submit a written plan (IHIP) covering every required subject, report progress four times a year, and file an annual standardized test or (in some grades) a written evaluation.

Notice

• Send to: the superintendent of your school district of residence (in New York City, your community school district superintendent).
• When: by July 1 for each school year (the school year runs July 1 to June 30), or within 14 days of starting home instruction or moving into the district after the school year begins.
• How often: annually.
• How: written letter of intent (mail with proof of delivery or hand-deliver and keep a copy).

Instruction time

The substantial equivalent of 180 days per year: 900 hours/year (grades 1-6), 990 hours/year (grades 7-12).

Required subjects

• Grades 1-6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English language, geography, U.S. history, science, health, music, visual arts, physical education, and bilingual education/ESL where needed.
• Grades 7-8 (across the two years): English (2 units), history and geography (2), science (2), mathematics (2), art (1/2), music (1/2), plus regular physical education, health, practical arts, and library skills.
• At least once in grades 1-8: U.S. history, New York State history, and the U.S. and New York constitutions.
• Grades 9-12 (across four years): English (4 units), social studies (4, including American history, 1/2 participation in government, 1/2 economics), mathematics (2), science (2), art and/or music (1), health (1/2), physical education (2), electives (3).
• All grades: patriotism and citizenship; health education on alcohol, drug, and tobacco misuse; highway and bicycle safety; fire and arson prevention.

Records to keep

• Attendance records (must be produced on request).
• Copies of your letter of intent, IHIP, quarterly reports, and annual assessments.
• Immunization records (recommended; ask your district if they request them).

Testing / evaluation

Annual, filed with the 4th quarterly report. A standardized achievement test from the approved list (Iowa, California Achievement Test, Stanford, Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, Metropolitan, a State Education Department test, or another approved test) is adequate with a composite above the 33rd percentile or one year of growth. A written narrative evaluation by a certified teacher, peer review panel, or other person approved by the superintendent may be used instead in grades 1-3 every year and in grades 4-8 every other year; grades 9-12 must use a standardized test.

Parent qualifications

None specified, but the instructor must be 'competent' (the district reviews the IHIP and instructor names).

Also

• IHIP for each child: name, age, grade; syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, or plan for each required subject; dates for the four quarterly reports; names of the instructors.
• Quarterly reports: hours of instruction that quarter; material covered in each subject; a grade or written narrative per subject; an explanation if less than 80% of the planned material was covered.
• If the annual assessment is inadequate, the program goes on probation (up to two years) with a remediation plan; home visits are possible in cases of substantial noncompliance.
• Compulsory age: 6 through the school year in which the child turns 16 (17 in New York City and some other districts).

What the notice must include

• A written statement that you intend to provide home instruction for the school year.
• Parent's name and address.
• Each child's name and age (the regulation does not list required contents; these are the usual items).

Checklist

• Send letter of intent to your district superintendent: by July 1 each year, or within 14 days of starting mid-year.
• Submit your IHIP for each child: within 4 weeks of receiving the district's IHIP form, or by August 15, whichever is later.
• Submit quarterly reports: on the four dates listed in your IHIP.
• Arrange and file the annual assessment (test or approved narrative): with the 4th quarterly report each year.
• Keep attendance records (180 days; 900 or 990 hours): ongoing.