New York is not a “homeschool friendly” state. Here is a link to the regulations.
You need to inform the district, in writing, of your intent to homeschool. You must turn in quarterly reports of progress. You must have a standardized test administered ever 1-2 years depending on age.
That’s the fast summary. I advise everyone to thoroughly peruse the regulations. Following them to the letter will result in far fewer hassles.
Here is an interesting map of homeschool regulations.
HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER
The State Education Dept has ruled that an IEP diploma is not an indication of satisfactory completion of high school in NYS. That means a student who graduates with said diploma does not qualify for admission to, or financial aid for, the SUNY or CUNY schools including community colleges. To repeat – AN IEP DIPLOMA WILL NOT GET YOU INTO COLLEGE, IT IS CONSIDERED SOMEWHERE BELOW A GED, which is what is issued to homeschooled students in NYS. See this site for more on graduation requirements.
We have not decided whether to homeschool permanently or place my son back in public schools at some point. So – why should I put my son back in school? My husband would like him to get a Regents diploma, he sees value in it. I learned that any homeschooled student can sit for the Regents exams. Their local district must let them do this. The student will not be issued a Regents diploma but meeting this requirement is sufficient for SUNY/CUNY. So, if this is of value to you check with your district and find out when the exams are scheduled and reserve your student a place. Your school must provide you, on their letterhead, a list of the exams and the scores.
Here is the letter which gives homeschooled students the right to special education services.
Here is a good explanation of what is required of homeschoolers who want to enter the SUNY or CUNY system.
More to come . . . .
3 responses so far ↓
Roy Torrey // May 18, 2009 at 8:42 pm
First let me thank you for having such an easy to use website.
in the section:
Here is the letter which gives homeschooled students the right to special education services.
I would like to know if the THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT distingishes between home-schooled students with no diabilities and home-schooled students with disabilities. Our son has already graduated and taken his GED a year early but our daughter would like to go to BOCES for cosmetology.
Neither has a disability in fact my daughter is entering 10th grade and could eaisly pass the GED right now.
So if the state is lumping homeschoolers under disabilities, why?
americangoods // May 18, 2009 at 11:55 pm
No, here is the difference. A child who is homeschooled, and has disabilities is entitled to have an IEP in place just the same as a child who is enrolled in school. The IEP may only be used by the teaching parent, or it may be used to acquire services such as speech or resource through the school district and therefore at no extra expense to the parent. My son was going into school for speech even though he was not enrolled and the district was required to provide it if it was on his IEP. So no, they aren’t lumping all the kids together, but they aren’t allowed to treat homeschoolers with a disability any differently than an enrolled student with a disability. I hope that answers the question!
Roy Torrey // June 10, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Sorry for the lack of clarity in my last question.
What I’d really like to know is: “Does a home schooled student with no diabilities, who has met all state requirement (ie: IHIP, quarterly reports, hours, attendence records, and assesment test) qualify to go to BOCES and have their tuition paid through their school district?”
Thanks
Roy Torrey