New York Homeschool Requirements Checklist

Required subjects

• ✓arithmetic/mathematics
• ✓reading
• ✓spelling
• ✓writing
• ✓English/language arts
• ✓geography
• ✓United States history
• ✓science
• ✓health education
• ✓music
• ✓visual arts
• ✓physical education

Requirements are cumulative — higher grade bands include all subjects from lower levels plus additional ones. A 'unit' corresponds to one school year of study (~180 days equivalent). The homeschool program must be 'substantially equivalent' to local public school instruction but need not replicate Regents diploma requirements exactly.

8 NYCRR 100.10(e); NY Education Law Section 3204(3) (required subjects by grade level)

Detailed requirements by grade

Instructional time

Hours per year:

900

Grades 1-6: 900 hours/year. Grades 7-12: 990 hours/year. Regulation references 'substantial equivalent of 180 days of instruction' but hours (900/990) are the primary measure. Hours must be documented and reported in quarterly reports. Instructional time is broadly interpreted and can include field trips, educational activities, hands-on projects, and other learning experiences.

8 NYCRR 100.10(f) (900 hours grades 1-6; 990 hours grades 7-12)

Testing and assessment

Accepted types

Standardized test, Teacher evaluation

Frequency

annually

Minimum score

Composite score above the 33rd percentile on national norms, OR one academic year of growth compared to a prior year's test

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 details.

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

Recordkeeping

• ✓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)

Reporting

Progress reports

quarterly reports to superintendent of the local school district

Annual renewal

Required by 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)