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New York Education Code for Homeschooling

This is not intended to be legal advice and is distributed for information purposes only. Check for updates at your public library or on the web. The related homeschooling laws are also here New York State Education Department site.

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Compulsory attendance - Between 6 and 16 years of age.
Some cities have raised the age limit to 18. I have been told that New York City, Buffalo and Brockport have done so. There may be others as well.

Annual notification, instruction plan must be submitted, attendance records must be kept, testing required, parents need only be competent.


New York State Home Instruction Regulations
Amendment To Regulations Of The Commissioner Of Education

Preface

(a) Purpose of section

(b) Notice of intention to instruct at home

(c) Procedures for development and review of an individualized home instruction plan (IHIP)

(d) Content of IHIP

(e) Required Courses

(f) Attendance Requirements

(g) Quarterly Reports

(h) Annual Assessment

(i) Probation

Regulation Revisions

The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are amended, effective July 1, 1988, by the addition of a new section 100.10 to read as follows:
Pursuant to sections 207, 3204, 3210, 3212, and 3234 of the
Education Law 100.10

(a) Purpose of section.
Purpose of section. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures to assist school authorities in fulfilling their responsibility under Education Law, sections 3204(2) and 3210(2)(d), and in meeting their responsibility of determining the competency of the instructor and substantial equivalence of instruction being provided at home to students of compulsory school attendance age, and to assist parents who exercise their right to provide required instruction at home to such students in fulfilling their responsibilities under Education Law, section 3212(2).

(b) Notice of intention to instruct at home.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subdivision, parents or other persons in parental relation to a student of compulsory school attendance age shall annually provide written notice to the superintendent of schools of their school district of residence of their intention to educate their child at home by July 1st of each school year. The school year begins July 1st and ends June 30th for all purposes within this section. In the case of the City School District of the City of New York, the school district of residence for students who, if enrolled in the public schools, would attend elementary school, intermediate school or junior high school in a community school district, shall be deemed to be the community school district in which the parents reside.

(2) Parents who determine to commence home instruction after the start of the school year, or who establish residence in the school district after the start of the school year, shall provide written notice of their intention to educate their child at home within 14 days following the commencement of home instruction within the school district.

(c) Procedures for development and review of an individualized home instruction plan (IHIP).

(1) Within 10 business days of the receipt of the notice of intention to Instruct at home, the school district shall send to the parents a copy of this section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and a form on which to submit an individualized home instruction plan (IHIP) for each child of compulsory attendance age who is to be taught at home.

(2) Within four weeks of the receipt of such materials, or by August 15th, or for the 1988-89 school year by September 15, 1988, whichever is later, the parent shall submit the completed IHIP form to the school district. The district shall provide assistance in preparation of the forms, if requested by the parents.

(3) Within 10 business days of receipt of the IHIP, or by August 31st, or for the 1988-89 school year by September 30, 1988, whichever is later, the school district shall either notify the parents that the IHIP complies with the requirements of subdivisions (d) and (e) of this section or shall give the parents written notice of any deficiency in the IHIP.

(4) Within 15 days of receipt of a notice of a deficiency in the IHIP, or by September 15th, or for the 1988-89 school year by October 15, 1988, whichever is later, the parents shall submit a revised IHIP which corrects any such deficiencies.

(5) The superintendent of schools shall review the revised IHIP and shall notify the parents as to whether the revised IHIP complies with subdivisions (d) and (e) of this section within 15 days of receipt of the revised IHIP or by September 30th, or for the 1988-89 school year by October 31, 1988, whichever is later. If the revised IHIP is determined not to be in compliance with subdivisions (d) and (e) of this section, then the parents shall be notified in writing of the reasons for such determination. Such notice shall also contain the date of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board of education that will be held at least 10 days after the date of mailing of the notice, and shall indicate that if the parents wish to contest the determination of noncompliance, the parents must so notify the board of education at least three business days prior to such meeting. At such board meeting, the parents shall have the right to present proof of compliance, and the board of education shall make a final determination of compliance or noncompliance.

(6) The parents shall have the right to appeal any such final school district determination of noncompliance to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days after receipt of such determination.

(7) When administrative review of a school district determination of noncompliance is completed, the parents shall immediately provide for the instruction of their children at a public school or elsewhere in compliance with Education Law, sections 3204 and 3210. For purposes of this subdivision, such administrative review shall be deemed to be completed when one of the following events has occurred:

(i) the parents have failed to contest a determination of noncompliance by appealing to the board of education;

(ii)
the parents have failed to appeal a final school district determination of
of noncompliance to the Commissioner of Education; or

(iii) t
he parents have received a decision of the Commissioner of Education which upholds a final school district determination of noncompliance.

(8) Within 10 days after administrative review of the determination of noncompliance is completed, the parents shall furnish the superintendent of schools with written notice of the arrangements they have made to provide their children with the required instruction, except that such notice shall not be required if the parents enroll their children in a public school.

(d) Content of IHIP.

Each child's IHIP shall contain:

(1) the child's name, age and grade level;

(2)
a list of the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks or plan of instruction to be used in each of the required subjects listed in subdivision (e) of this section;

(3) the dates for submission to the school district of the parents' quarterly reports as required in subdivision (g) of this section. These reports shall be spaced in even and logical periods;

(4)
the names of the individuals providing instruction; and

(5) a statement that the child will be meeting the compulsory educational requirements of Education Law, section 3205 through full-time study at a degree-granting institution, meaning enrollment for at least 12 semester hours in a semester or its equivalent, if that is the case. In this situation, the IHIP shall identify the degree-granting institution and the subjects to be covered by that study.

(e) Required Courses.

(1) For purposes of this subdivision, a unit means 6,480 minutes of instruction per school year.

(2) Instruction in the following subjects shall be required:

(i) For grades one through six: arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, the English language, geography, United States history, science, health education, music, visual arts, physical education, bilingual education and/or English as a second language where the need is indicated.

(ii) For grades seven and eight: English (two units); history and geography (two units); science (two units); mathematics (two units); physical education (on a regular basis); health education (on a regular basis); art (one-half unit); music (one-half unit); practical arts (on a regular basis); and library skills (on a regular basis). The units required herein are cumulative requirements for both grades seven and eight.

(iii) The following courses shall be taught at least once during the first eight grades: United States history, New York State history, and the Constitutions of the United States and New York State.

(iv) For grades 9 through 12: English (four units); social studies (four units), which includes one unit of American history, one-half unit in participation in government, and one- half unit of economics; mathematics (two units); science (two units); art and/or music (one unit); health education (one-half unit); physical education (two units); and three units of electives. The units required herein are cumulative requirements for grades 9 through 12.

(v) Education Law, sections 801, 804, 806 and 808, also require the following subjects to be covered during grades kindergarten through 12:

(a) patriotism and citizenship;

(b) health education regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse;

(c) highway safety and traffic regulations, including bicycle safety; and

(d)
fire and arson prevention and safety.

(f) Attendance Requirements.

Each child shall attend upon instruction as follows:

(1) The substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction shall be provided each school year.

(2) The cumulative hours of instruction for grades 1 through 6 shall be 900 hours per year. The cumulative hours of instruction for grades 7 through 12 shall be 990 hours per year.

(3) Absences shall be permitted on the same basis as provided in the policy of the school district for its own students.

(4) Records of attendance shall be maintained by the parent and shall be made available to the school district upon request.

(5) Instruction provided at a site other than the primary residence of the parents shall be provided in a building which has not been determined to be in violation of the local building code.

(g) Quarterly Reports.

On or before the dates specified by the parent in the IHIP, a quarterly report for each child shall be furnished by the parent to the school district. The quarterly report shall contain the following:

(1) the number of hours of instruction during said quarter;

(2) a description of the material covered in each subject listed in the IHIP;

(3) either a grade for the child in each subject or a written narrative evaluating the child's progress; and

(4)
a written explanation in the event that less than 80 percent of the amount of the course materials as set forth in the IHIP planned for that quarter has been covered in any subject.

(h) Annual Assessment.

At the time of filing the fourth quarterly report as specified in the IHIP, the parent shall also file an annual assessment in accordance with this subdivision. The annual assessment shall include the results of a commercially published norm referenced achievement test which meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subdivision, or an alternative form of evaluation which meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(1) Commercially published norm-referenced achievement tests.

(i) The test shall be selected by the parent from one of the following: the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the California Achievement Test, the Stanford Achievement Test, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, the Metropolitan Achievement Test, a State Education Department test, or another test approved by the State Education Department.

(ii) The test shall be administered in accordance with one of the following options, to be selected by the parents:

(a) at the public school, by its professional staff; or

(b)
at a registered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained;

(c)
at a non-registered nonpublic school, by its professional staff, provided that the consent of the superintendent of schools of the school district and of the chief school officer of the nonpublic school is obtained; or

(d)
at the parents' home or at any other reasonable location, by a New York State-certified teacher or by another qualified person, provided that the superintendent has consented to having said certified teacher or other person administer the test.

(iii) The test shall be scored by the persons administering the test or by other persons who are mutually agreeable to the parents and the superintendent of schools.

(iv) The test shall be provided by the school district upon request by the parent, provided that the cost of any testing facilities, transportation, and/or personnel for testing conducted at a location other than the public school shall be borne by the parent.

(v) If a score on a test is determined to be inadequate, the program shall be placed on probation pursuant to subdivision (i) of this section. A student's score shall be deemed adequate if:

(a) tthe student has a composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms; or

(b)
the student's score reflects one academic year of growth as compared to a test administered during or subsequent to the prior school year.

(2) Alternative evaluation methods.

An alternative form of evaluation shall be permitted to be chosen by the parent only as follows:

(i) for grades one through three, a written narrative prepared by a person specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph;

(ii) for grades four through eight, a written narrative prepared by a person specified in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph. This alternative form of evaluation may be used no more often than every other school year for these grades;

(iii) for the purposes of this paragraph, the person who prepares the written narrative shall be a New York State-certified teacher, a home instruction peer group review panel, or other person, who has interviewed the child and reviewed a portfolio of the child's work. Such person shall certify either that the child has made adequate academic progress or that the child has failed to make adequate progress. In the event that such child has failed to make adequate progress, the home instruction program shall be placed on probation pursuant to subdivision (i) of this section. The certified teacher, peer review panel or other person shall be chosen by the parent with the consent of the superintendent. Any resulting cost shall be borne by the parent.

(3) If a dispute arises between the parents and the superintendent of schools, including disputes over the administration of the commercially published norm-referenced achievement test or the use of alternative evaluation methods, the parents may appeal to the board of education. If the parents disagree with the determination of the board of education, the parents may appeal to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days of receipt of the board's final determination.

(i) Probation.

(1) If a child's annual assessment fails to comply with the requirements of subdivision (h) of this section, the home instruction program shall be placed on probation for a period of up to two school years. The parent shall be required to submit a plan of remediation which addresses the deficiencies in the child's achievement, and seeks to remedy said deficiencies. The plan shall be reviewed by the school district. The school district may require the parents to make changes in the plan prior to acceptance.

(2) If after the end of any semester of the probationary period, the child progresses to the level specified in the remediation plan, then the home instruction program shall be removed from probation. If the child does not attain at least 75 percent of the objectives specified in the remediation plan at the end of any given semester within the period of probation, or if after two years on probation 100 percent of the objectives of the remediation plan have not been satisfied, the superintendent of schools shall provide the parents with the notice specified in paragraph (c)(5) of this section and the board of education shall review the determination of noncompliance in accordance with such paragraph, except that consent of the parents to such review shall not be required.

(3) If, during the period of probation, the superintendent of schools has reasonable grounds to believe that the program of home instruction is in substantial noncompliance with these regulations, the superintendent may require one or more home visits. Such home visit(s) shall be made only after three days' written notice. The purpose of such visit(s) shall be to ascertain areas of noncompliance with these regulations and to determine methods of remediating any such deficiencies. The home visit(s) shall be conducted by the superintendent or by the superintendent's designee. The superintendent may include members of a home instruction peer review panel in the home visit team.

Regulation Revisions

Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education has been revised to clarify that the person who prepares a written narrative as an alternative evaluation method must certify either that the child has made adequate academic progress or has not and that the home instruction program will be placed on probation if the child has not made adequate progress.

Paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of section 100.10 has been revised to indicate that disputes between the parents and the superintendent of schools, including disputes over the administration of norm-referenced achievement test or the use of alternative evaluation methods, may be appealed to the board of education.

 

April 14, 2005

---------------------------------------

Important (2/25/05):  In September 2004, the New York State Board of Regents adopted an amendment to section 100.10 of Commissioner's regulations relating to the home instruction of students of compulsory school age who wish to attend college on a full-time basis.

The amendment:

  • requires students of compulsory school age who have yet to complete a four-year high school program and who seek to enroll in full-time college study to submit to the college verification from the school district of residence that the student will be meeting the compulsory education requirements through full-time college study. This verification must be in the form of an approved Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) that includes the full-time college study.
  • permits school district residents, including home instructed students, to take five specific Regents examinations or approved alternative examinations for the purpose of meeting the preliminary education requirement for earning a college degree, applicable to students beyond compulsory school age.
  • repeals the requirement that a student present satisfactory evidence of a preliminary education of at least a four-year high school course or its equivalent before beginning college degree study. This requirement was in conflict with the Commissioner's Regulation that permitted a student to earn a high school equivalency diploma through completing 24 semester hours as a recognized candidate for a college degree.


Other Resources for this Law

Home Instruction in New York State
Listed here are some pertinent facts about home instruction in New York State under Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.

Return to New York homeschooling information.

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Home Learning Year by Year
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First Year of Homeschooling Your Child
Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start

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The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12
by Linda Dobson
As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs.
 
Homeschooling : The Teen Years
Homeschooling : The Teen Years
Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- To 18-Year Old

by Cafi Cohen
This book reveals the adventure and rewards as well as the special challenges of working with this age group.
 
Homeschool Your Child For Free
Homeschool Your Child for Free
More Than 1,200 Smart, Effective, and Practical Resources for Home Education on the Internet and Beyond

by LauraMaery Gold and Joan M. Zielinski
The best sites for everything from reading-readiness activities for preschoolers to science projects for teens.
 
Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child
Homeschooling: The Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to 8- Year-Old Child
by Linda Dobson
The formative years are the most critical to a child's education. They lay the foundation for developing learning skills that last a lifetime.
 

The Homeschooler's Guide to Portfolios and Transcripts
by Heuer, Loretta
Provides critical advice, examples, and resources for designing the most powerful and persuasive admissions presentations.
 

The Well-Trained Mind
A Guide to Classical Education at Home
by Jessie Wise, Susan Wise Bauer
This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school.
 

A Charlotte Mason Companion : Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
by Karen Andreola
A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach "the Charlotte Mason way".
 
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom
The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom

by Mary Griffith
Unschooling, a homeschooling method based on the belief that kids learn best when allowed to pursue their natural curiosities and interests, is practiced by 10 to 15 percent of the estimated 1.5 million homeschoolers in the United States.
 
The Teenage Liberation Handbook
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How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education
by Llewellyn, Grace
Written primarily for teens who need to convince their parents they can teach themselves. 1998 Paperback
 
Creative Home Schooling for Gifted Children: A Resource Guide
Creative Home Schooling for Gifted Children: A Resource Guide
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Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
by Engelmann, Siegfried
Based on the excellent DISTAR program, my daughter learned to read well and fast. Combines phonics with interesting reading material for youngsters.

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