FAQs

Q:	Is homeschooling legal?
A:	Yes, it is legal in all 50 states. However, each state has it’s own regulations that must be followed. Go to the NYS Regs section for the NY regulations, or visit HSLDA for info on any other state.

Q:	What is my responsibility to the school district?
A:	You are required to provide to the school district a letter of intent to homeschool, an Individual Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) for each student, quarterly reports, and an end-of-the-year evaluation. However, many school districts ask for more than the law requires for you to provide. See the NYS Regs section to learn what is required in NY State.

Q:	At what age do I have to report my child to the school district?
A:	You must report in the year the child turns six; provided that birth date is before by December 1st. After Dec. 1st you wait until the following year. Also, you must continue reporting through the year when the child turns 16.

Q:	Shouldn’t I report my child to the district even though he’s only 5; just to prove he’s had kindergarten?
A:	You may advise the district that you are homeschooling, but do not need to report until your child is 6. Legally, a district can not ask for information before the time stated in the regulations.

Q:	Can I begin homeschooling after the school year has already begun?
A:	Yes, you may begin at any point during the year. You simply write your letter of intent stating that you have just decided to homeschool, and then all the normal time spans apply. Officially, you have to notify the district within 14 days of beginning to homeschool.

Can I homeschool a child with special needs?

Yes you can. Also, your child is still eligible for special services, such as speech, as long as the district has an IEP or specialized learning plan on file.

All members of LEAH have access to PICC LEAH (Parents Instructing Challenged Children) for free. PICC LEAH is accessible to any current LEAH member family homeschooling a child with special learning needs in New York. LEAH Parents’ homeschooling a child with special learning needs are welcome to contact PICC LEAH. We serve members who have children with a wide range of conditions (ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, Blind – Vision Impaired, Dyslexia, Learning Disabled – Learning Differently, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impaired, Speech Delay, PDD-NOS, etc). Please visit https://www.leah.org/parents-instructing-challenged-children/parents-instructing-challenged-children-faqs/ for more information.