New York Homeschool Info by Time4Learning

Are you a new home school parent looking for information on New York home school laws, New York support groups, or homeschool curriculum? If so, you've come to the right place. As you consider or begin homeschooling in New York, you should become familiar with the following:

1. New York home school legal requirements -- information about starting up your homeschool, curriculum and testing guidelines, and other state-specific homeschooling laws.

2. Homeschool resources and support groups -- Information about New York home school conferences, associations, and support groups for finding other homeschoolers who share similar interests or face similar challenges (such as gifted or special needs children)
3. Homeschool curriculum -- finding an educational approach and accompanying materials to suit your family.

New York Home School Laws

Summary: The state of New York requires compulsory school attendance of children between the ages 6 and 16, or until completion of high school. New York recommends that homeschools operate the equivalent of 180 school days (900 hours per year for grades 1-6; 990 hours per year for grades 7-12), and cover the following subjects: (grades K through 12): patriotism and citizenship, about substance abuse, traffic safety, fire safety; (grades 1 through 6): arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, United States history, science, health, music, visual arts, and physical education; (grades 7 and 8): English, history and geography, science, mathematics, physical education, health, art, music, practical arts, and library skills; (at least once in first 8 grades): United States and New York history and constitutions; (grades 9 through 12): English, social studies—including American history, participation in government, and economics—math, science, art or music, health, physical education, and electives.

Parents are requested to file a notice of intent to homeschool with the district school superintendent in July each year, or within 14 days of starting homeschooling in the middle of the school year. They must also file an IHIP (Individualized Home Instruction Plan) annually which will include (1) the child’s name, age, and grade level; (2) a list of the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, or a plan of instruction; (3) dates for submission of quarterly reports; and (d) name of the persons giving instruction. Other requirements for homeschooling parents in NY include keeping attendance records for each student, filing quarterly assessment reports, and filing an annual assessment. The final assessment for the year can be either the results of a norm-referenced achievement test or a written narrative evaluation. A standardized test is required every other year in grades four through eight, but beginning in ninth grade, a standardized test is required each school year.

For more information on specific homeschooling requirements in New York, visit one of these sites:

New York Homeschooling Laws by NHEN (National Home Education Network)
Home-Ed Magazine’s NY resource page -with information, articles, and state-specific resources
Home Education in New York by Ann Zeise.

New York Home School Resources

Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of New York homeschool resources available. New York has several statewide associations specifically designed to support homeschooling in NY, including the New York Home Educators Network, Loving Education at Home (LEAH, Inc), and Parents Instructing Challenged Children. Many counties in New York have at least one local support group for homeschoolers, as well. We've listed a few of the starting points for finding out more about homeschooling resources in New York:

New York Homeschooling Information – About.com's site for information, resources and support for all NY homeschoolers
Apple Family & Homeschool Group – A website dedicating to uniting homeschoolers in New York through activities and trips
Home Instruction in New York State – The NY State Education Department’s page of homeschooling information

To add your group, please send an email to info@Time4Learning.com.

Choosing homeschool curriculum

New York homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool curriculum.. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool curricula, trying to create the best match for their child.

For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool curricula can even be more problematic. What works for one child, doesn't work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.

Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.

The benefits of using Time4Learning's curriculum

Time4Learning is used by homeschool parents both as a primary curriculum and as a supplemental program to other materials such as Saxon, Alpha Omega, Five in a Row and A Beka. Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:

Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multimedia materials.

Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.

Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing the each lesson. Quizzes and tests are graded by the computer, saving valuable time and effort for parents who would be happier concentrating on other areas.

Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.

Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children, risk free! Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.

I want to learn more about Time4Learning's Homeschooling Online program.