New York

New York Education Law § 3204 and Commissioner's Regulations Part 100.10

New York requires parents to provide "home instruction" that is "substantially equivalent" to public school instruction. The state has one of the most detailed regulatory frameworks in the nation.

Mid-Year Start: If withdrawing mid-year, submit LOI within 14 days and IHIP within 4 weeks (28 days) of LOI submission.

When to Submit

• July 1 for the upcoming school year
• Within 14 days of withdrawing a child from school mid-year

What to Include

A simple written notice stating:

• Child's name, age, and address
• Your intent to homeschool
• Request for homeschool forms and regulations

District Response

Within 10 business days, the district must send you:

• Copy of homeschool regulations (Part 100.10)
• IHIP form
• Quarterly report forms

Important: You may begin homeschooling immediately after submitting the LOI. You do NOT need to wait for IHIP approval.

Submission Deadline

• August 15 (or within 28 days of LOI submission)

Required Components

1. Child Information

   • Full name
   • Age and grade level
   • Address

2. Syllabi/Curriculum Plans

   • Must cover ALL required subjects for grade level
   • Brief description of materials/curriculum for each subject
   • Can be as simple as listing textbook names

3. Quarterly Report Dates

   • Proposed dates for submitting 4 quarterly reports
   • Must be evenly spaced throughout year

District Approval: The district has 10 business days to approve or request changes. Silence = approval. You may continue homeschooling during review.

Grades 1-6 (Elementary)

• Arithmetic
• Reading
• Spelling
• Writing
• English (language arts)
• Geography
• U.S. History
• Science
• Health Education
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Physical Education

Total: 12 required subjects

Grades 7-8 (Middle School)

• English
• History and Geography
• Science
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Health Education
• Art
• Music
• Practical Arts (e.g., home economics, technology)
• Library Skills

Total: 10 required subjects

Grades 9-12 (High School)

Core Requirements:

• English (4 years)
• Social Studies including:
  • American History (2 years)
  • Participation in Government (0.5 year)
  • Economics (0.5 year)
• Mathematics (3 years)
• Science (3 years, including lab component)
• Art/Music (1 year)
• Health (0.5 year)
• Physical Education (2 years)
• Language other than English (1 year, recommended)
• Electives (varies)

All Grades K-12

Must also include instruction in:

• Patriotism and citizenship
• Substance abuse prevention
• Highway safety and traffic regulation
• Fire and arson prevention

Annual Requirements

• Grades 1-6: 900 hours per year
• Grades 7-12: 990 hours per year
• 180 days of instruction required

What Counts as Instruction?

✅ Counts:

• Direct teaching/lesson time
• Independent study with parent oversight
• Field trips related to curriculum
• Educational videos/documentaries
• Lab work and experiments
• Reading time for assigned books
• Physical education activities

❌ Does NOT count:

• Free play
• Household chores (unless part of life skills curriculum)
• Entertainment (non-educational media)
• Sleep, meals, breaks

Record Keeping Tip: Keep a simple log with dates and hours. You don't submit this to the district, but keep it for your own records in case requested.

NY vs PA Key Difference

New York requires narrative-based quarterly reports (paragraphs describing learning), not just hour logs. Each report is typically 4-6 pages and includes detailed descriptions of what was covered in each subject.

Submission Schedule

Four reports must be submitted at intervals you specified in your IHIP. Common schedules:

• November 15, February 1, April 15, June 30
• October 31, January 31, March 31, June 30
• Evenly spaced quarters based on your school year

Report Structure

Each quarterly report must include:

1. Header Information

• Quarter badge (Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4)
• Student name, age, grade level
• IHIP reference

2. Hours Summary

• Hours completed THIS quarter
• Year-to-date cumulative hours
• Progress toward annual requirement (900 or 990 hours)
• Hours by subject vs. IHIP planned hours with completion percentages

3. Subject Narratives (2-3 pages - the core requirement)

For EACH required subject, provide a paragraph describing:

• Curriculum/materials used (textbook names, programs, resources)
• Topics covered (chapters completed, concepts learned)
• Assessment results (test scores, quiz performance)
• Observable growth (improvements, challenges, achievements)
• Books read (with titles for reading/literature)
• Grade OR evaluation (A-F letter grade OR written evaluation like "Excellent", "Satisfactory", "Needs Improvement")

4. IHIP Alignment & 80% Rule

New York requires you follow your submitted IHIP. If any subject falls below 80% of planned hours, you must provide:

• Reason for shortfall (illness, change in pace, curriculum adjustment)
• Impact on learning (was learning still achieved despite fewer hours?)
• Remediation plan (how you'll make up content or adjust going forward)

Important: The 80% rule is a legal requirement. Always check your hours against IHIP before submitting.

5. Parent Certification

• Signature confirming accuracy
• Statement that instruction aligns with approved IHIP

Fourth Quarter Special Requirements

The 4th quarterly report (due June 30) must also include:

• Annual assessment results (see Annual Assessment section)
• Confirmation that all required subjects were covered for the full year
• Total hours for ALL four quarters (year-to-date should = annual requirement)

Submission Tips

For NYC families:

• Email to: homeschool@schools.nyc.gov
• Subject line: "QR, [Child Name], [Student ID]"
• Do NOT submit duplicates (causes processing delays)

For other districts:

• Check your district's preferred submission method
• Keep proof of submission (email confirmation, certified mail receipt)
• Some districts have online portals, others require mail or email

An annual assessment is required and must be submitted with the fourth quarterly report by June 30.

Assessment Options

Option 1: Standardized Test

• Must be approved test (CAT, CTBS, Iowa, Stanford Achievement, etc.)
• Can be administered by parent, tutor, or test administrator
• No minimum score required for grades 1-3
• Cannot be "substantially below" grade level for grades 4+

Frequency:

• Grades 1-3: Alternative evaluation (narrative) acceptable every year
• Grades 4-8: Standardized test required at least every other year
• Grades 9-12: Standardized test required annually

Option 2: Written Narrative

• Must be from qualified evaluator:
  • NY certified teacher
  • Licensed psychologist
  • Parent with credentials approved by superintendent
• Narrative must address progress in all subjects
• Must confirm student is achieving "adequate" progress

Option 3: Other (with approval)

• Portfolio review by certified teacher
• Interview with certified teacher
• Requires superintendent pre-approval

What Happens if Assessment Shows Poor Progress?

The district may require:

1. Remediation plan
2. More frequent assessments
3. Return to public/private school (rare, only in extreme cases)

What to Keep

Required to submit:

• Letter of Intent
• IHIP
• Four Quarterly Reports
• Annual Assessment

Keep for your records (not submitted):

• Daily/weekly lesson plans
• Attendance log (dates and hours)
• Work samples from each subject
• Reading lists
• Field trip documentation
• Extracurricular activities

How Long to Keep Records

Recommended: Until child turns 21 (in case of college admission questions or dispute with district)

Minimum: 4 years after graduation or until age 18

Proof of Submission

Always keep proof that documents were sent:

• Email: Save confirmation receipts
• Mail: Use certified mail, return receipt requested
• In person: Get stamped copy or written receipt

District Not Responding? If you submitted everything on time and heard nothing, your IHIP is considered approved after 10 business days.

Accessing Services

Homeschooled students with disabilities can receive special education services from the school district.

How to Request Services

1. Submit written request by June 1 for the next school year
2. District must evaluate child (if not already evaluated)
3. IEP meeting will be scheduled
4. Services provided at district's discretion

What Services MAY Be Available

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Counseling
• Resource room support
• Specialized instruction

Important Notes

• Districts are not required to provide all services requested
• Transportation to services is typically NOT provided
• Parent may need to bring child to district building
• Services are provided at times convenient for district
• Students receiving services may be required to take state assessments

Alternative: Private Services

If district denies services, families can:

• Seek private providers (family pays)
• Look into homeschool co-op resources
• Contact local homeschool support groups for recommendations