New York home instruction, in plain language
Send a Letter of Intent, file an IHIP, report four times a year, and finish with an annual assessment. Here is every step and when it's due.
The yearly steps
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Notify your local school district superintendent in writing of your intent to home-instruct, by July 1. Families starting mid-year must file within 14 days of beginning home instruction.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(b)
Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)
Submit the IHIP for each child by August 15, or within four weeks of receiving the district's IHIP form — whichever is later. It lists syllabi/curriculum per subject, the instructor's name, and your four chosen quarterly report dates.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(c)
First Quarterly Report
Report on each subject: material covered, a grade or narrative of progress, and hours of instruction completed. Due on the date you set in the IHIP.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(g)
Second Quarterly Report
Second of four progress reports, due on the parent-chosen date listed in your IHIP.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(g)
Third Quarterly Report
Third of four progress reports, due on the parent-chosen date listed in your IHIP.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(g)
Fourth Quarterly Report + Annual Assessment
The final quarterly report is filed together with the annual assessment — a standardized test (required in grades 4–8 every other year and grades 9–12 every year) or, where permitted, a written narrative evaluation.
8 NYCRR § 100.10(g)–(h)
Hours and required subjects
Grades 1–6
900 hours of instruction per school year.
- • Arithmetic
- • Reading, spelling & writing
- • English language arts
- • Geography
- • United States history
- • Science
- • Health education
- • Music
- • Visual arts
- • Physical education
- • Bilingual education / English as a second language (where the need is indicated)
Grades 7–8
990 hours of instruction per school year.
- • English (2 units over grades 7–8)
- • Social studies (2 units)
- • Mathematics (2 units)
- • Science (2 units)
- • Physical education
- • Health education
- • Visual arts
- • Music
- • Practical arts
- • Library skills
- • United States history & New York State history
Grades 9–12
990 hours of instruction per school year. One unit ≈ 108 hours.
- • English (4 units)
- • Social studies (4 units, including American history, participation in government, and economics)
- • Mathematics (2 units)
- • Science (2 units)
- • Art or music (1 unit)
- • Health education (½ unit)
- • Physical education (2 units)
- • Electives (3 units)
The annual assessment
- Grades 1–3: Test or written narrative. You may choose a norm-referenced standardized test or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a person the district has approved.
- Grades 4–8: Standardized test at least every other year. A standardized test is required in alternating years; in the in-between years a written narrative evaluation may be used instead.
- Grades 9–12: Standardized test every year. A norm-referenced standardized test is required annually. Narrative evaluations are not an option at the high school level.
- • A passing score is a composite at or above the 33rd percentile, or one year's growth over the previous year's test.
- • The assessment is filed together with the fourth quarterly report — typically by June 30.
- • Test selection and administration must be arranged in a way the district accepts; many families use a certified teacher or an approved test administrator.
What New York does not require
- • No day count — New York counts hours, not days
- • No state-approved curriculum
- • No teaching certificate for parents
- • No home visits as a routine requirement
Official sources
Pennsole is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice. Always confirm details with your school district.