What are the requirements for homeschooling in New York?  When compared with other states, New York has a significant number of requirements.  For example, New York specifies that students be homeschooled for a minimum of 180 days (5 hours a day, for a total of 900 hours for grades 1-6 and 990 hours for grades 7-12) within a school year spanning from July 1 to June 30. 

According to New York’s homeschool law (CR 100.10), homeschoolers also have to follow specific requirements for curriculum (with 1 unit equal to 108 hours):

• Elementary School (grades 1-6): “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.”
• Middle School (grades 7-8): “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.”
• High School (grades 9-12): “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.”

In addition, United States history, New York history, and the Constitutions of the United States and New York State must be taught at least once during the first eight grades, and the following subjects must be covered during grades K-12: patriotism and citizenship; health education regarding alcohol, drug, and tobacco misuse; highway safety and traffic regulations, including bike safety; and fire and arson prevention and safety.

To provide evidence of compliance with New York State homeschool regulations, paperwork must be filed throughout the school year according to dates specified on the IHIP:

• Quarterly Reports: Each quarter, parents must submit a report showing attendance and academic progress by subject area. Reports must include the number of instructional hours for that quarter, a description of material covered per subject, a grade or narrative of progress per subject, and an explanation in the event less than 80% of planned material was covered in any subject.
• Annual Assessment: By submission of the third quarterly report, parents must determine the annual assessment that will be administered.  Results of the annual assessment are then submitted with the fourth quarterly report.  In addition to statewide tests, New York State has determined a list of approved annual assessments for homeschooled students.  Alternate evaluation methods are also available for students in grades 1-3 and every other year for students in grades 4-8. 

If a homeschooled student’s progress is deemed inadequate by the school district, the homeschool program will be placed on probation.