New York Homeschool Documents & Templates

What to file

detailed plan

Send to

superintendent of the local school district

Deadline

By July 1 annually, or within 14 days of commencing home instruction mid-year

How often

annual

Free-form letter accepted?

Yes. You can write your own letter instead of using an official form.

Two-step process: (1) Letter of Intent (LOI) filed by July 1 or within 14 days of starting, containing child's name/age/grade, parent's name/address, and statement of intent to homeschool under 100.10. (2) Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) must be submitted within 4 weeks after the district acknowledges the LOI. The IHIP must list syllabi, curriculum, textbooks, and materials for each required subject; dates for quarterly report submission; and the annual assessment method. Send LOI via certified mail with return receipt. The district reviews the IHIP for substantial compliance and must notify the parent if revisions are needed, allowing at least 15 days to revise.

8 NYCRR 100.10(b) (notice of intent); 8 NYCRR 100.10(c) (IHIP submission)

First-time vs. renewal

Status

Required if your child is currently enrolled in school

Send to

superintendent of the local school district

When withdrawing from public school to begin homeschooling, the LOI must be filed within 14 days of the date of withdrawal. A separate written notification to the school the child attended is recommended but may not be strictly required by regulation. The school cannot refuse to release the child once proper notice is given.

8 NYCRR 100.10(b)(1) (notice within 14 days of commencing home instruction)

Submit to

superintendent of the local school district (submitted with fourth quarterly report)

Frequency

annual

Two assessment options: (A) Standardized test — a commercially published, norm-referenced achievement test (e.g., Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, CAT, PIAT, Woodcock-Johnson). (B) Alternative evaluation — a written narrative by a NYS-certified teacher who has reviewed the child's portfolio and/or observed the child. Grades 1-3: either option any year. Grades 4-8: standardized test required every other year, alternative evaluation in alternate years. Grades 9-12: standardized test required every year. If a student scores below the 33rd percentile and does not show one year of growth, the student is placed on probation. During probation, a remediation plan is required and a standardized test must be administered regardless of the normal alternating schedule.

See our full assessment guide for New York for accepted test types, minimum scores, and remediation details.

8 NYCRR 100.10(g) (annual assessment requirements, testing schedule, minimum scores)

Frequency

quarterly

Submit to

superintendent of the local school district

Four quarterly reports per year, due on dates specified in the IHIP (typically around November 15, January 31, April 15, June 30, but dates vary by district and are proposed by the parent in the IHIP). Each report must include: (1) number of hours of instruction completed during the quarter, (2) description of material covered in each required subject, and (3) a grade or written evaluation of student progress in each subject. The fourth quarterly report must include the annual assessment. If a report is not submitted on time, the superintendent must notify the parent in writing and provide a reasonable time to submit. Per 100.10(g), if less than 80% of the planned course materials were covered during the year, the parent must provide a written explanation.

8 NYCRR 100.10(f) (quarterly reports); 8 NYCRR 100.10(b) (annual LOI renewal)

Deadline

July 1 annually (LOI and subsequently IHIP)

Four quarterly reports per year, due on dates specified in the IHIP (typically around November 15, January 31, April 15, June 30, but dates vary by district and are proposed by the parent in the IHIP). Each report must include: (1) number of hours of instruction completed during the quarter, (2) description of material covered in each required subject, and (3) a grade or written evaluation of student progress in each subject. The fourth quarterly report must include the annual assessment. If a report is not submitted on time, the superintendent must notify the parent in writing and provide a reasonable time to submit. Per 100.10(g), if less than 80% of the planned course materials were covered during the year, the parent must provide a written explanation.

8 NYCRR 100.10(f) (quarterly reports); 8 NYCRR 100.10(b) (annual LOI renewal)

• ✓Attendance records
• ✓Grades or evaluations

Records may be reviewed by the district.

Parents must maintain: attendance records (days/hours log), copies of all four quarterly reports, annual assessment results, copies of the IHIP and LOI with proof of delivery each year, and student work samples (recommended but not strictly required to submit, except as part of alternative evaluation). Records must be available for review by the superintendent upon request.

8 NYCRR 100.10(f) (quarterly report content including hours and grades); 8 NYCRR 100.10(h) (superintendent review of records)