Starting To Homeschool In New York

So, you’ve decided you want to homeschool your child. Awesome! But, now what?!? Many families find themselves homeschooling when it is not a part of their original plan. Or, maybe it was the plan all along, but you’re unfamiliar with homeschooling and wonder where to start. Either way, the homeschooling community here in Rochester is active and supportive. We’re here to help one another in our journeys and answer questions to help you feel confident as you get started.

Please note that Rochester Mom Collective wants to make homeschooling easier for you, however the following is not legal information or advice. You should always make sure to read and know the official NYS Regulations to ensure you are fulfilling all of the requirements.

How do I begin the homeschooling process?

1. Familiarize yourself with the New York State Homeschooling Regulations (and don’t panic!).
2. Join an online community, so you can ask questions of seasoned homeschoolers. We recommend:
   • Homeschoolers of Greater Rochester, NY Facebook group
   • New York State Homeschooling Q & A Facebook group.
3. Within 14 days of deciding to homeschool your child, send a Letter of Intent (LOI) to your school district. This informs them that you plan to instruct your child at home.
4. Decide what curriculum you plan to use.
5. Create your Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) and submit it within 10 days of submitting your LOI.

How do I do the paperwork required for homeschooling?

Many people are intimidated by the idea of homeschooling in New York State because of the paperwork involved. Yes, it is different from other states, but honestly, it’s not as much as you might think. Here are some tips and templates to help you navigate the paperwork to meet the NYS regulations with (relative) ease.

Tips For Paperwork For Homeschooling

• Make sure you are aware of the New York State Homeschooling Regulations.
• Homeschoolers in New York are required to report (send paperwork to their local school district) for each child that turns 6 before December 1st of that school year and is younger than age 16. (It is beneficial for many homeschoolers to continue reporting through graduation.)
• Put the dates for paperwork submissions on your calendar, so you don’t forget.
• Submit all of your paperwork to your local school district’s Superintendent. They may also ask you to submit it to another administration or Boces.
• Make sure to keep a copy and proof of everything you submit. Sending paperwork through registered mail or email allows you to have a paper trail to track in the case of miscommunications.
• Your school district might give you templates for the required paperwork. You may choose to use whatever template works best for you, as long as you provide the information required by New York State.

Guides and Templates

• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 1-6
• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 7-8
• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 9-12

How do I find the right curriculum?

This is a question that is common and recurring among homeschoolers. And there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The good news is that there are thousands of homeschool curricula available, which also creates a challenge. Below we’ll provide some questions, information, and things to consider as you explore the vast availability of homeschool curricula. As you get to know yourself and your child as a homeschooler, the answers to the following questions may change. It is important to be able to reassess and respond to what works best for your family in each season.

Consider Your Needs

• How much time do you have to spend in 1:1 instruction with your child?
• Do you want a curriculum that gives you a script or requires you to prepare what you say?
• Do you mind if a curriculum requires you to gather materials or one that has everything prepared and ready to go?
• Do you prefer an online or in-person curriculum?
• What is your budget?
• How much structure or freedom do you need to make your day go smoothly?

Consider Your Child’s Needs

• How does your child learn best? Workbooks, hands-on, reading, writing, movement? Do they need quick, short lessons, or chances to go in-depth with each lesson?
• What does your child already know? Most children learn different subjects at different paces, and that’s ok. Many curricula offer samples or evaluations to help you know where to begin.
• How independent is your child with academic tasks? How much 1:1 support will they need?
• How much structure or freedom do they need to make their day go smoothly?

Resources to Help You Choose a Curriculum

• Read this guide outlining the different homeschooling styles with popular curricula recommendations.
• Read descriptions of different curricula you are considering by Cathy Duffy Reviews.
• Look up Youtube reviews by homeschoolers to see the pros and cons of the curricula you are considering.

What am I required to teach?

New York State provides a list of subjects that homeschoolers are required to cover. You may choose how you plan to cover these subjects so that it works best for you and your child. The required subjects for each grade level are outlined in the following guides:

• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 1-6
• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 7-8
• Homeschool Paperwork for NYS Requirements | Grades 9-12

How do I structure our days?

How to structure your days is another question that is dependent on the needs of your specific family. You do not need to re-create school at home, although some families do best with that model. Academic tasks may not take you the 8 hours a day that traditional schools use. You won’t have the same amount of transitions and management that take up that much time. Your child may grasp concepts quickly, so you can move on, or may need a bit of extra practice with some things. You have the freedom to accommodate your child’s needs with your routines, whether they need a more strict or flexible schedule. Here are some examples of how different families structure their schooling:

• Create a morning routine and schedule to have all academic learning completed before noon.
• Create a to-do list of academic tasks that differs each day to accommodate trips and activities.
• Reserve academic tasks for the evening when parents are available for instruction/support.
• Allow for child-led learning that shapes the tasks completed throughout the day.
• Set aside pockets of time throughout the day for academic tasks and allow exploration and movement in between.
• Focus on academic tasks four days of the week and set aside the fifth day for field trips.

How do I make sure my kids are performing at grade level?

This is the age-old concern of homeschoolers. How do I know if my child is learning enough? How do I know if I’m doing a good job? And, once again, there is no solid answer to this question.

Standardized Testing

The New York State Homeschooling Regulations require standardized tests on certain years. These provide feedback about how your child performs on certain academic tasks in comparison to other students across the country. However, this is just one measure and in a format that may not give a full picture of your child’s learning journey.

If you are somebody who feels more secure in knowing where your child stands in terms of academics, you are welcome to administer standardized tests every year, including asking to have them sit in at your local school district for the New York State exams. Their scores can provide you with feedback so you know where your child is excelling, on grade-level, or may need extra help.

Grade-Level Milestones

At any school, students vary greatly in their understanding of each subject. Part of the beauty of homeschooling is our children can work at a pace appropriate to their learning. They may work from curricula that are considered “ahead of grade level” in some subjects, while also receiving remedial instruction in others. We are not in a race to keep up with our peers.

Homeschoolers do not have to hit certain milestones based on a yearly schedule. We have the freedom to look at our children holistically, allowing us to view their education as a whole, rather than segmented into 13 parts. Homeschoolers can focus on long-term goals to achieve by adulthood, rather than stress over short-term goals. In general, grade-level skills are not created using scientific or psychological data. The goals change often, so I encourage you not to be overly concerned with them. However, benchmarks can provide general targets to inform your instructional choices.

What about socialization?

This is a favorite question for homeschoolers, especially in Rochester, as we ask ourselves how to stop over-socializing our children. There are always opportunities for socialization in our area if you’re looking to get involved. Here are some ways to find classes, events, and activities for your homeschooler:

• Guide to Homeschool Groups and Co-ops in Rochester
• Monroe County Public Library System Events
• Many local businesses provide classes geared toward homeschoolers. They often advertise on Facebook using the Homeschoolers of Greater Rochester NY Facebook group.
• Individuals and groups post events and field trips in the Homeschoolers of Greater Rochester NY Facebook group.

No matter your reason for homeschooling, we hope that you find this information helpful. You are joining a vast and organized community in Rochester full of people to support you in your journey. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions of the seasoned homeschooling families. We are all in this together.