A Step by Step Guide to Homeschooling in NYC/NYS

The decision to homeschool although exciting, can be daunting considering the paperwork some states require. No worries, it is actually not as strenuous as you might think! Here is a simple list you can follow to make sure your homeschool documentation is done and up to date.

1. Letter of Intent- A letter of intent is simply a simple letter telling your child's school of your decision to homeschool. No details as to why are required, just the following:

Childs name & date of birth

Start date

Current address

the school year and grade child is at the time of the decision.

This letter must be submitted at the beginning of each school year. Inform your Childs school, guidance counselor and or county's homeschool liaison (if any) of your decision. PRINT THIS LETTER AND ANY RESPONSES AND KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

Click here for NYC template of the Letter of Intent.

2. Start Researching Curriculum- In order to fill out the next portion of documents you must have an idea of what textbooks, online programs or resources you may be using for your child for this current school year.

3. HSLDA- Sign up for legal representation at HSLDA. They will send you a card stating you are a homeschooling parent. This card will also get you teacher discounts at some museums and book stores. If you ever have homeschooling questions or concerns they will be there to help guide you to the best solutions.

3. Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)- Your homeschool liaison will be sending you a form or asking you to fill out an IHIP. This documentation asks you to tell them what text books/ programs your child will be using for each subject. Simply choose an online program or any curriculum that best suits your families/child's needs. Be sure to include textbook title, author or publishing company, and ISBN number if known.

The beauty of this form is that you can change any curriculum at any point in your homeschool journey. You are NOT locked into those textbooks all year. Simply let them know of such change when you submit your next quarterly report. Here is an example of a general IHIP and a NYC HIP.

PRINT THIS IHIP AND ANY RESPONSES AND KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

4. Approval Letter- The district will be sending you an IHIP approval letter. In this letter you will be given dates to submit your quarterly reports. A good way to keep track is to immediately write down these dates in your planner or digital calendar.

PRINT THIS LETTER AND ANY RESPONSES AND KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

5. Attendance-Keep record of each child's attendance. Click here for NYC Attendance form.

6. Quarterly Reports- You will be asked to submit documentation on how the child is progressing 4 times within a school year. Usually in November, January, April and June. Simply write each subject the child is required to learn that year and write a quick list of topics covered for each subject. Write down the grade the child received so far in each subject or simply write PASS/FAIL.

Note that each grade level has a specific amount of hours to comply with to fulfill instructional time. For example, in New York State Grades 1-6 is 900of instructional hours per school year and Grades 7-12 is 990 instructional hours per school year. So, for each quarterly report you write, divide those yearly hours by 4. For example, your childs instructional hours for grades 1-6 would be 225 hours for each report which equals to the 900 hours per school year. Grades 7-12 would be 247.5 hours for each report which equals to the 990 hours per school year. Click here for NYC Quarterly Report Template.

Submit on time. PRINT THIS REPORT AND ANY RESPONSES AND KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

7. Annual Assessments/Written Narrative- Please contact your contact person for your county in order to get he latest on their local requirements for testing. Click here to find your state's regulations on standardized testing.

For New York State Laws on Standardized testing CLICK HERE

Submit your Annual Assessments/ Written Narratives with your last Quarterly Report at the end of the school year. PRINT THIS LAST REPORT / ASSESSMENT AND ANY RESPONSES AND KEEP FOR YOUR RECORDS

*Keep all printed records in a binder or online folder for each child for each homeschooling year.