Homeschooling in New York: How To Homeschool While Following State Laws

by Rita Onyx

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.

There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.

Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in New York. Know the New York homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.

Quick Facts:

• There is one way to homeschool 

• Children between 6-17 of age must be in school 

• You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions

Requirements:

• There ARE teacher qualifications

• There ARE state mandated subjects 

• There ARE required assessments or testing 

• There are NO immunization requirements

How to Homeschool in New York

• Notify the superintendent of your local school district of your intent to homeschool by July 1^st every year

• Create and submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15^th or within four weeks of receiving the IHIP form the from the school district

• Include in the IHIP:

1. Name
2. Age
3. Grade level
4. Syllabi
5. Curriculum
6. Materials
7. Plan of instruction
8. Dates of future quarterly reports
9. Name of instructor

• Instruction should be at least:

a) 180 days per year

b) 900 hours of school per year for grades 1-6

c) 990 hours of school per year for grades 7-12

Subjects should include:

• Grades K-12

1. Fire safety
2. Substance abuse
3. Traffic safety including bike safety
4. Patriotism and citizenship
5. New York history and constitutions
6. U.S. history and constitutions

• Grades 1–6

1. Math
2. Spelling
3. Writing
4. Reading
5. English
6. U.S. history
7. Geography
8. Science
9. Health
10. Music
11. Arts
12. Physical education

• Grades 7–8

1. Math
2. History
3. Geography
4. Health
5. Science
6. English
7. Arts
8. Physical Education
9. Library Skills
10. Practical arts

• Grades 9–12

1. Math
2. Science
3. Social studies including American history, Government, and Economics
4. English
5. Health
6. Physical education
7. Electives
8. Art or music

• Submit quarterly reports to the superintendent of the school district

• Include in the quarterly report:

a) Number of hours of instruction during the quarter

b) Description of the material covered in each subject

c) Evaluation tool (grade or narrative) of each subject

• Have your child assessed every year with either a standardized test with at least a score of above the 33^rd percentile (or narrative evaluation for the lower grades)

• For Standardized tests you may use the following:

a) California Achievement Test

b) Stanford Achievement Test

c) Iowa Test of Basic Skills

d) Metropolitan Achievement Test

e) Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills

f) State Education Department Test

g) Another test approved by the State Education Department

• Written narrative evaluations may be conducted by a:

a) Certified teacher

b) Home instruction peer group review panel

c) Another person with the consent of the local superintendent

Helpful links:

https://www.leah.org/legal-issues/regulations/

https://www.newyorkhomeschoolconsultant.com/nys-required-courses-for-homeschooling.html

https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/newyork.html

Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education

• New York State Education Department
  89 Washington Avenue
  Albany, NY 12234
  Phone: 518-474-3852
  Nonpublic and Private Schools: (518) 474-6541
  Website: http://www.nysed.gov/

• U.S. Department of Education, New York

This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.