When a family in Great Neck, New York submitted the paperwork to start homeschooling their kindergartner, public school officials told them it wasn’t enough. That’s how what should have been a routine process turned into a legal struggle.
HSLDA successfully intervened on behalf of the family. But their case provided another example of what has become a bothersome trend in New York—officials adding to homeschool law by essentially inventing their own requirements.
“State law is clear on what New York parents have to submit to establish a homeschool program: a notice of intent and an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP),” said Ralph Rodriguez, HSLDA associate attorney. “But it’s become fairly typical that, in addition to these, officials will tell families to fill out some additional form. I’ve heard officials say they know they are asking for something extra, but they do it anyway because it’s more convenient for the district.”
Just starting out
The family in Great Neck, who are HSLDA members, contacted us after encountering just this type of problem. Late last year they had submitted a homeschool notice and IHIP for their daughter, who was about to turn 6.
In New York, children must attend school or comply with the homeschool laws starting in the school year in which they turn 6 on or before December 1.
Our members were taken aback by the district’s response. “Our office received notification that [your daughter] is not registered with the Great Neck public school system,” officials said. “In order to continue homeschooling, you must contact our registrar.”
The registrar added that the family needed to fill out an online student registration form to enter their daughter into the district’s database.
Rodriguez contacted district officials on behalf of the family to set the record straight. He cited guidance from the New York State Education Department, which declares “parents are not required to register their child in the public school if they plan to provide home instruction.”
Shortly afterward, the family received a message from the district that her daughter’s homeschool paperwork had been processed and that there was no need for the parents to enter any information via the district’s online portal.
HSLDA stands with parents to defend their right to homeschool free from government overreach. If your family encounters a demand that goes beyond what homeschool law requires, feel free to contact us.