Homeschooling Support Center

You have decided to provide home instruction to your child(ren), Now what?

• You need to let someone know by providing a LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)

• The LOI needs to be in writing, but can be as simple as an email stating that you will be providing home instruction for your child for the school year. 

• Send the LOI to the Superintendent, your child's school, or to registration@schenectadyschools.org

**IMPORTANT** 

You may begin home instruction at any time, but the LOI MUST be sent within 14 days of starting. 

*Also important to know: LOI MUST be done EVERY YEAR!!!

LETTER OF INTENT EXAMPLE

Parent Name

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Today’s Date:

To whom it may concern,

I am sending this letter of intent as required by Section 100.10 for Home Instruction in New York.

I intend to provide home instruction for our son/daughter, _____________________, (Date of birth:  ___/___/_____)  who will be entering grade _____ for the 20__/20__ school year.

Date I am starting the program: _______________

Thank you,

Parent Name

***IMPORTANT*** Please provide accurate contact information  in your LOI

You have submitted your LOI, Now What?

• You need to fill  out an Individual Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) for EACH child 

• This IHIP is a major piece of providing home instruction, It is the plan you will follow for the year and there are things NYS requires be part of it 

• Send the IHIP to homeschooling@neric.org or mail to 

530 Liberty Street, Schenectady, NY 12305

**IMPORTANT** 

You have 30 days from the date of the LOI to get your IHIP in. 

Remember to email or call for an extension if something is holding you up so we don't take steps towards filing educational neglect which involves Family and Child Protective Services. By law, we have to take these steps if the IHIP is not submitted.

What is Educational Neglect?  According to www.childwelfare.gov, "educational Neglect involves the failure of a parent or caregiver to enroll a child of mandatory school age in school or to provide appropriate homeschooling or needed special education training."

Here is more information about Ed Neglect

IHIP REQUIREMENTS

• Child Name

• Age and Grade

• List of materials you are using - textbooks, websites, online programs, etc

• Quarterly Progress Report Dates - you must submit a report at the end of each quarter (every 10 weeks = 4 reports). You will pick the dates now and add them to the IHIP. 

**REMEMBER TO SET A REMINDER FOR EACH DATE SO YOU WON'T FORGET TO SEND THE REPORT**

• Name of person providing the instruction (typically, this is you)

        **IMPORTANT** EACH CHILD HAS TO HAVE THEIR OWN IHIP

______________________________________________________

FYI: Homeschooled students also have to meet an hourly attendance requirement: 

• 900 hours per year in grades 1-6

• 990 hours per year in grades 7-12

How to Create a Great IHIP

Home Instruction is Up and Running, Now What?

• You must report on how your child is doing every quarter with a Quarterly Progress Report

• Based on the date of the LOI, every 10 weeks until June 30th, you need to provide a report of your child's progress.

• You already provided the dates you are going to report in your IHIP, so the report will be expected

• Missed quarterly progress reports could also lead to potential educational neglect, so please submit them on time or notify homeschooling@neric.org that you will be late.

Quarterly Report Template Example >>>>>>

The year is almost over, Now What?

• You must provide an annual assessment every year. 

• For grades 1-3, this can be a standardized test (taken at the school, if you choose), an alternative form of test, or a written narrative evaluation

  • • **Important** the written evaluation should NOT be done by the parent unless permission is granted***

• For grades 4-8, standardized testing is required at least every other year. The written evaluation can be used on years you do not use standardized testing. 

• Standardized testing is required EVERY year in high school.