FAQ
Q – Is homeschooling legal?
A – Yes, it is legal in all 50 states. However, each state has it’s own regulations that must be followed. Go to the NYS Regs section for the NY regulations, or visit HSLDA for info on any other state.
Q – What is my responsibility to the school district?
A – You are required to provide to the school district a letter of intent to homeschool, an Individual Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) for each student, quarterly reports, and an end-of-the-year evaluation. However, many school districts ask for more than the law requires for you to provide. See the NYS Regs section to learn what is required in NY State.
Q – At what age do I have to report my child to the school district?
A – You must report in the year the child turns six; provided that birth date is before by December 1st. After Dec. 1st you wait until the following year. Also, you must continue
reporting through the year when the child turns 16.
Q – Shouldn’t I report my child to the district even though he’s only 5; just to prove he’s had kindergarten?
A – If you report, you must follow all of the regulations, including quarterly reports and an end-of-the-year assessment. Why bother when, according to the law, you don’t have to? You may advise the district that you are homeschooling, but will not be reporting until your child is 6. Rarely will a district ask for proof of kindergarten, but it’s good to have some work or an end-of-the-year test available just in case. Legally though, they can’t even ask for it.
Q – Can I begin homeschooling after the school year has already begun?
A – Yes, you may begin at any point during the year. You simply write your letter of intent stating that you have just decided to homeschool, and then all the normal time spans apply.
Officially, you have to notify the district within 14 days of beginning to homeschool, but it’s better to notify them right away if you pull them out of public school. This is because a truant officer will be contacting you sooner than 14 days if your child is not in attendance.
Q – Can I homeschool a child with special needs?
A – Yes you can. Also, your child is still eligible for special services, such as speech, as long as the district has an IEP or specialized learning plan on file for him.
Q – What about gym class and socialization?
A – You can provide gym class on your own through normal exercise and activity. However, it’s a good idea to join a local support group. In this way you can participate in group gym classes and sports, as well as field trips, spelling and geography bees, science fairs, etc. Socialization is also achieved in the group settings, or maybe your kids go to Sunday School. Hopefully, your family spends at least some time during the week interacting with other families, thereby achieving socialization through normal daily activity.