Homeschool - Frequently Asked Questions

As the NYS Leah website states preparation is most important. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare! Talk to other home educators and read all of the home education materials you can, especially those that talk about educational approaches. Borrow books from friends, the public library, or a local support group's lending library. View your state’s Christian Homeschool support group website. Every state has one. Visit www.hslda.org to locate one in your state. Have a "plan" for your school year. What subjects do you need to teach? Be sure to include physical, spiritual, academic, and social development as you make your plans. (see Luke 2:52)

Subscribe to at least one good home education publication, Do a web search there are several including the Old schoolhouse, Practical Homeschooling and Teaching Home. African American home educators will also find the resources at www.naaaha.com or www.nbhera.org

Select appropriate curriculum. Check out used curriculum if you know what you are specifically looking for. More expensive or more widely advertised is not necessarily better. Cathy Duffy's Curriculum Manuals are especially helpful. Only buy what you need for the current year, and don't be tempted by "extras" if you can't afford them. For those in NYS, if you don't have your entire curriculum by the July 1st letter of intent deadline, at least have all your orders placed.

Know the law! Purchase NYS Leah’s Regulatory Manual which provides a thorough explanation of Commissioner Regulations 100.10. These regulations govern home education in NYS. Visit www.leah.org to purchase a manual.

Get & Stay Connected!
Join the Home School Legal Defense Association (Preferably before you contact your school district). Annual membership fee is $100 unless you are a member of New York state LEAH or most Christian Homeschool groups. Members receive a discounted HSLDA membership fee of $85.

Know the Regulations!
In New York State you must notify your school district in writing on or before July 1 of your intent to home educate during the upcoming school year which commences July 1 and concludes June 30 of the following. Your "letter of intent" should include the names and dates of birth of each child of legal school age who will be home educated. Children, who turn six before December 1, are required to start school during that year. Teenagers who turn sixteen at any time during the school year are required to complete that entire year.

Complete and submit one IHIP (Individualized Home Instruction Plan) for each child you will be educating at home. Your school district is supposed to respond to your letter of intent with a copy of the regulations and IHIP forms. Each IHIP must include a simple listing of the curriculum you will be using for each of the required subject areas. (see the LEAH Regulatory Manual).

File quarterly reports with the school district at regular intervals you establish in you IHIP.

Submit an annual evaluation to the local school district. Options include written evaluations, standardized testing, and peer review panels. Standardized testing is only required every other year between the grades of 4 and 8, and every year after that until the student is 16. Contact your local LEAH chapter (www.leah.org and www.region10leah.org) for more information regarding these options.

Home visits are not required! Nor are you required to meet with the superintendent to seek permission. A determination of compliance to the regulations is designed to be handled in writing between the local school district and a home educating family. If any of your written submissions are challenged, contact your local support group or your attorney at HSLDA to determine if any of your submissions are in error. (Be sure to join HSLDA before you begin!) If so, make all necessary corrections or additions and re-submit you documents. If all of your paper work is in compliance, follow the advice of HSLDA as how to proceed. Above all, keep a good testimony!

Keep good records. You don't need to submit attendance records, but you need to report total number of hours in your quarterly reports. In the high school years, a good transcript is crucial for college admission.

I am home-schooling a special needs student. Can you direct me to some resources?

There are a few. First National Challenged Homeschool Asssociation . You are also encouraged to subscribe to the newsletter for Parents Instructing Challenged Children. Contact them at Parents Instructing Challenged Children The National Association of Child Development has much to offer parents as well. You may also visit www.nacd.org . In Region Ten (NYC and Long Island) contact Mary at Fratpak@worldnet.att.net. PLEASE be advised that Mary is home educating a special needs child and is freely volunteering her time therefore it is suggested you visit the other websites first and approach her with your unanswered questions after you have FIRST reviewed the resource websites.

My husband or wife does not agree with my decision to Homeschool. Will you speak to him or her?

LEAH is a support group for home educating parents. We cannot convince your mate that you should or should not Homeschool. You may find support in your local LEAH support group.

Can you help me with my paperwork?

Speak with your support group leaders New York State homeschoolers can visit www.leah.org.

I want to speak with an experienced homeschooler. Can you help me get in touch with someone?

Homeschool support groups are the place to meet with others. You will find parents just like you and will gladly share their home education experiences. It is better to make connections in your personal support groups although there are web groups (Search Yahoo Groups) Also when making inquiries, please respect their time and do not telephone during traditional school hours or obvious family times or late night. Please email Chapter leaders. NYS residents are encouraged to email Chapter leaders via the LEAH website. (www.leah.org) They will direct you to services and support groups that are right in your local area.

Can you home educate my child for me?

No. To find someone to home educate your child, inquire at local private schools, your church or research at home learning schools or tutoring services.

The truancy officer, Children Abuse Administration or legal services is involved because I have not sent my child to school and now I want to home-school. Can you help me?

Homeschool is not a decision to be made lightly. In fact successful homeschoolers are those who have prayerfully considered and PREPARED for their decision to home school. Preparation includes reading up on how to Homeschool, visiting support groups and speaking with other homeschoolers. This takes time. Also please be advised LEAH will not testify for you nor represent you in any legal or criminal court or hearing. Also LEAH will not testify on your behalf or present you in any legal proceeding.

I recently moved to New York State and do not know what my school district is or even who I should report to?

If you are in New York City dial “311”. It is an information line for all NYC Services. They will give you the name and address and telephone number of the Regional Office. The NYC Dept of Education is governed by Regions not districts (as they were in prior years). You will have to report to your district.

If you are in other parts of the state it is easy to just ask your neighbor or realtor, most school districts are generally reflective on your school tax statement. Some districts do have unconventional cut-offs so it would be best to ask a neighbor or the realtor.

I’m moving to the area and want to move into a Homeschool friendly school district. Can you advise me?

That is quite a subjective question. Generally you may email a LEAH Chapter Leader (see the Map on LEAH page and ask what is their experience and that of their members. Remember, the question is relative and you are bound to get many different responses.

Can you recommend a curriculum?

Your curriculum choices are based on your educational philosophy and personality. As such is a personal matter I do not particularly endorse one product over the other. Many new homeschoolers find security in a well established curriculum. Other new homeschoolers find they prefer a particular approach. You will best find help by speaking with other homeschoolers, your support group leader, online research and attending our conventions.

Do homeschoolers get diplomas?

Homeschool students do not get traditional high school diplomas because they are not public high school students. Homeschoolers have to validate their high school education in other ways. Although there are correspondence schools where they may earn accredited diplomas. Please check with the United States Department of Education to authenticate a school’s accreditation (No matter what they may claim).

My son just dropped out of school can I homeschool him or is it too late?

It is never too late to Homeschool however, please see the above.

Can you Homeschool me. I hate my high school?

Only parents or people your parents entrust you to may home educate you. If you are a motivated learner, perhaps you may visit some teen websites on the web and research home education then make your case to your parents. You may also seek out other home schooling families in your church or community who may be willing to mentor you. Sometimes retired Christian teachers might be willing to assist you.

Can you test my child before I start home schooling so I know what curriculum to choose?

Testing services and support are generally found in your local support group. You do not need a standardized test to begin home-schooling your child. You may desire something not quite comprehensive as a screening or a checklist. Such screening is found on many curriculum websites.

My child is very advanced. Should I report them their accelerated grade to the district or their chronological grade?

No matter how accelerated your child once you begin reporting your school district is going to go by your records if you advance them several grades you are often giving yourself more paperwork. However, if you strongly feel your child will graduate earlier and want the superintendent to validate their education you may want to do this. Please keep in mind many parents with accelerated children do academic work far beyond their grade yet keep their paperwork simple by keeping them in their chronological grade.

My three year old is reading. Should I begin reporting his progress to my school district? When should I stop reporting?

You begin reporting when the child is compulsory school age which is "a minor who becomes six years of age on or before the first of December in any school year...until the last day of session in the school year in which the minor becomes sixteen years of age" or completes high school.

How should I schedule my home school day?