Homeschooling Laws!!Its Bull!!!?

Question

I dont get,why is that they wont homeschool a normal kid,you have to have some disability or something,other than that your forced to go to public school.That makes no sense.I talked to a social worker today about my little sister getting homeschooled because of too many distractions,and they say they wont do it they can only get her a transfer,that the laws have changed that you are not able to do it yourself anymore.Thats Bullsh**!!!Can someone help me she really really wants the homeschooling thing and says shes not going back to public school,and i dont know what to do??Help!!

Im in New York

Another thing im new to this whole home schooling thing,i know there is a cost if you hire someone else but is there a cost if you get a relative??

Answer 1

That is bull...because it's not true. Your mom can homeschool your sister for whatever reason she likes, whether your sister is disabled or not. The social worker told you wrong.

Here's a site that gives you the legal requirements and analysis for homeschooling in New York: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=NY

Here's a list of the requirements:
Compulsory School Age
"a minor who becomes six years of age on or before the first of December in any school year...until the last day of session in the school year in which the minor becomes sixteen years of age" or completes high school. Any school district may raise the age to 17 years.

New York Legal Home Schooling Options: 1


Option: 1

Legal Option:
Establish and operate a home school

Attendance:
Substantial equivalent of 180 days per year; 900 hours per year for grades 1-6; 990 hours per year for grades 7-12

Subjects:
Grades K-12: patriotism and citizenship, substance abuse, traffic safety, fire safety; Grades 1-6:arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, U.S. history, science, health, music, visual arts, and physical education; Grades 7-8:English, history and geography, science, mathematics, physical education, health, art, music, practical arts, and library skills; At least once in grades 1-8: U.S. and New York history and constitutions; Grades 9-12: English, social studies--including American history, participation in government, and economics, math, science, art or music, health, physical education, and electives

Qualifications:
“Competent” - A person is deemed to be competent if they follow the regulations.

Notice:
File annual notice of intent with the local superintendent by July 1 or within 14 days if starting home schooling mid-year; complete and submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (form provided by district)

Recordkeeping:
Maintain attendance records (must make available for inspection upon request of the local superintendent); file, with the local superintendent, quarterly reports listing the number of hours of instruction during quarter, description of material covered in each subject, and a grade or narrative evaluation in each subject

Testing:
File, with the local superintendent, an annual assessment by June 30; must be from a standardized test every other year in grades 4-8, and every year in grades 9-12; the child should score above the 33rd percentile or their home instruction program could be placed on probation; other years can be satisfied by either another standardized test or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel, or other person chosen by the parent with the consent of the superintendent.

Here is a list of current hs legislation for New York, all of it is inactive:
http://www.hslda.org/legislation/state/NY/default.asp

And here's a site that can give your mom tons of choices for all levels, subjects, and learning styles, often at a discount: http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php

I would also highly suggest getting in touch with the leaders from some local homeschool groups...they will be able to answer your mom's questions and give much more accurate and complete information (since they are actually homeschooling, and it's their job to know): http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?State=NY
(If none of these are in your area, just google your city and "homeschool group and some should pop up.)

Hope that helps!

Edit: You are not required (by the state) to pay someone to homeschool your little sister; if a relative will oversee it for free, that's fine. The person would decide if they will demand payment or not.

If your sister lives with you, but you're not her legal guardian, your parents will have to complete the paperwork and agree to everything. If you are her legal guardian, you can oversee the process.

Answer 2

Unless your sister is a ward of the state, the social worker doesn't get to make that decision. That is the decision of her parent or legal guardian.

While New York is very regulated, it is still legal to homeschool there. Your daughter may not qualify for homebound programs, but you can homeschool.

The state specifies what subjects have to be taught, requires an annual notice of intent be filed with the local superintendent, that attendance records be maintained and that quarterly reports of days and hours of attendance and subjects taught be filed, and that students be tested every other year in grades 4-8 and every year in grades 9-12. The only qualification for the parent is that they be "competent" which is defined as following the regulations.

If you live and work in the City, you might want to consider moving to New Jersey where you can homeschool free from any government involvement at all.

I would highly suggest that you contact the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Their website is: http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

You can Find New York Regulations here: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=NY

Their phone Number is: [phone]

Answer 3

Homeschooling is through the parents, I think you are thinking of Home Bound. That technically is not homeschooling, it's a service provided under IDEA that allows children who are TOO disabled to attend school to still receive some education. It usually consists of the school providing the curricula and one or two hours a week of direct teaching, while the parent does the rest.

Never trust a school when it comes to homeschooling laws. In every state of the union it is legal to homeschool. Public schools have NEVER provided home school, although some states do have online schooling that homeschooled kids are eligible to use. I can assure you that if you choose to homeschool a disabled child (I'm doing two) the public schools will not provide any more resource than any other parent. I don't get anything from them, and don't particularly want it.

If she wants to homeschool, your PARENTS need to be talking to the school, they need to be planning who will stay home and take care of her, they need to buy the curricula or make other arrangements. I applaud your interest but it's your parents job to research it, if they are interested in it. HSLDA, as some posted, is a good starting point.

Answer 4

In what state do you live? There are different laws and regulations for homeschooling in each state.

You may want to check with the Board of Education in your school district about the homeschooling requirements.

There are websites, too. Try "Googling" 'homeschooling' or 'homeschool' and see what you get.

The states are becoming more strict about how homeschooling is done and that the parents/guardians/teachers of home schoolers have to follow a curriculum prepared/required by the state.

In Ohio, where I live, children are home schooled for various reasons- fewer distractions, parents can decide on the curriculum (more religious, less secular), and if a child has a learning disability or obstacles the public schools cannot or will not help.

So, don't give up. You have to do more research.
And, home schooling is a BIG commitment.

Answer 5

I'd say that the social worker was misinformed or was deliberately trying to mislead. Social workers, by far, are probably the worst to talk about about homeschooling. I've heard other stories about them from other people.

Of course you can homeschool in NY. You might want to get some official information on paper from the NY education site and share it with the social worker's supervisor, telling the supervisor that there is misinformation being given by people in that office.

It almost sounds like she is living with you and not your parents? If you don't have legal guardianship, that is one case in which the social worker may be correct about not being able to homeschool. If you are a legal guardian, or are searching on behalf of a legal guarding, it's definitely possible.

The best thing to do would be to find a local homeschool support group and find out all the nitty gritty. It's one thing to read the laws and another to have someone used to them explain them to you.

Answer 6

That is a BUNCH of BS if I ever heard of. Yes, my son has disablities, but I also have ALOT of friends that homeschool, & not 1 of there children have a disablitiy. There just afraid 1 less child, means less tax dollars for them in the school. YES, its legal to homeschool your child in ANY state. Its your right!

Listen to the top contributor, there right, check into the web site they gave, you we did, & this is the 2nd year for hoemschooling our son.
LOok for the loop home too to be able ot pick out the cirruclum of your choice that works for the child, NOT what a virutal school wants, but what the child needs.

Answer 7

Oh yes, I agree with that. I live in Tennessee, and as far as I know, here you can homeschool your child no matter what reason you have. I am planning on homeschooling mine after 5th grade. There is too much horrible things going on in the schools these days, and a parent should have the right to raise their children in the ways they want to. That is something I don't understand. This is supposed to be a free country, yet we are told how we can or cannot raise our children. It pi**es me off too.

Answer 8

I never heard of not homeschooling becuz you have to have disability ...

My nephew was home schooled for a long time and he has no disability ... This year hes going to public school ...

I think its wonderful to be home schooled cuz less distractions and easier to go on vacation anytime of the year ...

Find out more information on home schooled and ask around for information and see if you can find anyone that is home schooled or mothers that home school children at home ...

Don't give up ...

Answer 9

New York Legal Home Schooling Options: 1

Option: 1
Legal Option:
Establish and operate a home school
Attendance:
Substantial equivalent of 180 days per year; 900 hours per year for grades 1-6; 990 hours per year for grades 7-12
Subjects:
Grades K-12: patriotism and citizenship, substance abuse, traffic safety, fire safety; Grades 1-6:arithmetic, reading, spelling, writing, English, geography, U.S. history, science, health, music, visual arts, and physical education; Grades 7-8:English, history and geography, science, mathematics, physical education, health, art, music, practical arts, and library skills; At least once in grades 1-8: U.S. and New York history and constitutions; Grades 9-12: English, social studies--including American history, participation in government, and economics, math, science, art or music, health, physical education, and electives
Qualifications:
“Competent” - A person is deemed to be competent if they follow the regulations.
Notice:
File annual notice of intent with the local superintendent by July 1 or within 14 days if starting home schooling mid-year; complete and submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (form provided by district)
Recordkeeping:
Maintain attendance records (must make available for inspection upon request of the local superintendent); file, with the local superintendent, quarterly reports listing the number of hours of instruction during quarter, description of material covered in each subject, and a grade or narrative evaluation in each subject
Testing:
File, with the local superintendent, an annual assessment by June 30; must be from a standardized test every other year in grades 4-8, and every year in grades 9-12; the child should score above the 33rd percentile or their home instruction program could be placed on probation; other years can be satisfied by either another standardized test or a written narrative evaluation prepared by a certified teacher, a home instruction peer review panel, or other person chosen by the parent with the consent of the superintendent

Answer 10

A parent or legal guardian has the right to homeschool regardless, it is our right! If your parents agree to it they can homeschool and you can help, that is your choice but your sisters legal guardian must make the decision to homeschool. The government is not allowed to parent our children, no matter how much they may bully us and pretend they have that right! Government schools are paid money for each child they keep in their school. All your sister is to them is a paycheck! Tell your parents to stand up for your sister and do what is best for her.