Homeschool laws in New York

Notice

Every year: A written notice of intent to the superintendent of the school district of residence by July 1 of each school year (the school year runs July 1 to June 30). Families who start home instruction, or move into the district, after the school year has started send it within 14 days of starting home instruction there.

Time

900 hours (grades 1–6) or 990 hours (grades 7–12)
The regulation asks for "the substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction" each school year, measured as 900 hours a year in grades 1-6 and 990 hours a year in grades 7-12; hours are reported on each quarterly report. There is no daily minimum: instruction may be on evenings or weekends, with weekly time generally comparable to public school. Grades 7-12 subjects are counted in units (1 unit = 6,480 minutes of instruction), cumulative over grades 7-8 and over grades 9-12. Kindergarten has no hour requirement in the regulation, and a district's kindergarten requirement does not apply to home instruction.

Subjects

• Grades 1-6: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, US history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, and bilingual education or English as a second language where needed
• Grades 7-8 (cumulative over both years): English 2 units, history and geography 2 units, science 2 units, math 2 units, art 1/2 unit, music 1/2 unit; physical education, health education, practical arts and library skills on a regular basis
• At least once in grades 1-8: US history, New York State history, and the US and New York State Constitutions
• Grades 9-12 (cumulative): English 4 units, social studies 4 units (including 1 unit of American history, 1/2 unit of participation in government and 1/2 unit of economics), math 2 units, science 2 units, art and/or music 1 unit, health education 1/2 unit, physical education 2 units, electives 3 units
• Grades K-12: patriotism and citizenship; health education on alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse; highway safety and traffic rules, including bicycle safety; fire and arson prevention and safety
• Health education and physical education at every grade level; AIDS must be covered in health at least once in grades K-6, once in 7-8 and once in 9-12

Assessment

An assessment you choose from the allowed options: Every year. Grades 1-3: a standardized achievement test or a written narrative. Grades 4-8: a written narrative no more than every other year (a test in the other years). Grades 9-12: a standardized achievement test (the narrative is allowed only in grades 1-8). A test passes with a composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, or one academic year of growth over a prior test. The narrative is written by a NY-certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel or another person the superintendent consents to, after interviewing the child and reviewing a portfolio of the child's work. If the assessment is not adequate, the program is placed on probation for up to two school years: the parent submits a remediation plan the district reviews, and the district may require home visits (with 3 days' written notice) only while the program is on probation.
Filed with the fourth quarterly report, on the date the parent set in the IHIP.

Portfolio

Not required

Reports

Quarterly reports: Four quarterly reports a year to the school district, on or before the dates the parent sets in the IHIP (spaced in even and logical periods; fewer when starting mid-year). Each gives the hours of instruction in the quarter, the material covered in each subject, a grade or a written narrative for each subject, and a written explanation for any subject where less than 80% of the planned material was covered.

Records to keep

• attendance records for each child (kept by the parent, shown to the school district on request)

Teacher

No specific credentials are required by state law; instruction must be given by a "competent teacher" (a parent, or a tutor for all or part of the program), and the IHIP names the people providing instruction.

Deadlines

• Send the notice of intent: By July 1 of each school year, to the superintendent of your school district of residence.
• Send the notice of intent (starting mid-year or after moving in): Within 14 days after starting home instruction in the district, if you start, or move into the district, after the school year has begun.
• Submit the IHIP: Within four weeks of receiving the district's IHIP form and a copy of the regulation, or by August 15, whichever is later.
• Submit the IHIP (starting mid-year): The district sends the IHIP form within 10 business days of receiving your notice; submit the completed IHIP within 4 weeks of receiving it.
• Send a revised IHIP if the district finds a deficiency: Within 15 days of receiving a notice of deficiency, or by September 15, whichever is later.
• Send the quarterly report: On or before each date you set in the IHIP (four reports a year, spaced in even and logical periods).
• File the annual assessment: At the same time as the fourth quarterly report, on the date set in the IHIP.