Homeschooling around tough state regulations (NY, for instance)

[bluejaunte]

How do you NY mamas do it? I really want to homeschool, but my research strongly suggests NY is a particularly hardass state when it comes to hs regulations. Am I basically tackling a full-time job (on top of working at home and mommying)? In public school, I sure as hell didn't learn for eight hours a day. Far from it!

I love the idea of semi-structured homeschooling -- following the child's interests but still approaching lots of topics, even if obliquely. NY seems pretty adamant that I teach things like "patriotism and citizenship." WTF does that even mean? Somehow I suspect I have a different idea of "patriotism" than a standardized test does. I don't want to have to make a kid memorize something arbitrary for a test. If I did, I'd send him to public school!

I know I'm rambling. Sorry! Can some NY homeschooling mamas (or mamas in other states with strict regs) share their experiences?

[eilonwy]

I officially homeschooled my niece in Pennsylvania for a year (second most difficult state, regulation-wise). It can absolutely be done-- even unschooling! The first step would be to learn the laws for NY, followed closely by finding a good support group. In PA, for example, elementary school students are required to log *either* 180 days or 900 hours. I counted hours and we were finished with school well before the "end of the year." Third, fifth, and eighth graders are required to submit standardized test scores... but who tells you when you have a third grader? You'd be amazed at how many PA homeschoolers repeat the second grade and then go right on to fourth. Children in PA are not required to start school until the year in which they will turn eight within the first two weeks of the school year (before 14 September); If Bean was a traditionally homeschooled child, I wouldn't be required to submit paperwork on him until September 2011. In other words, I'd be totally free of any interference until that point-- three months short of his ninth birthday.

So yes-- there are certainly workarounds, and lots of people have managed them.

[LauraN]

Join a like-minded homeschooling group. Those mamas have all the experience that you need.

For instance, in Florida you need to either be evaluated each year or take a standardized test. Many, many homeschoolers do the test.

But most unschoolers do the evaluation. Why? Because there are at least a few unschool-friendly teachers who are willing to work with you on definitions of things. The teachers who evaluate have a checklist of what kids need to know each year. With an unschooling-friendly teacher you'll say, "We baked a lot of cookies," and the teacher will check off "fractions.") But the only way to find those teachers is to know experienced unschoolers.

Join the groups and ask them your questions!

[Prane]

I am Ok with writing out the ihip for ds13 but for my 6 yr old dd it's harder because so much of what she learns comes reading and life and just in a more natural way. One of the things I have done that may work for you, go to your school district's web site. They may have a curriculum web or a scope and sequence by grade level posted. I learned that in my district the teachers had to fill out a learning web that was almost identical to the form they wanted me to fill out. I used it for ideas on how to fill in the listening and speaking boxes.

[Citymomx3]

Ok. Homeschooling in NY is a piece of cake. My paperwork take a few minutes several times per year. Testing doesn't have to be done until 5th grade (then 7th, and 9th-12th) and only on math and english. You buy a $25 standardized test, administer it yourself (unless your district adamantly requires someone else needs to), send it back to the test company, and let the district know your kid scored above the 33rd %ile.

It certainly looks a lot more hardass than it really is. I would suggest joining the yahoo group called ny-hen. They're amazing NY homeschoolers who pretty much know everything there is to know. I learned everything from them.

For the most part, the districts leave you alone and you can homeschool any way you want. We have been unschooly for over 3 years and never had a problem. I'm in NYC and cannot imagine a cooler place to homeschool. :

[Ruthla]

NYS requirements are not THAT tough. They basically mean more paperwork for me, and don't directly affect the way I interact with my child. The only part that affects her directly is the end-of-year exam, and that only takes a few hours of her time.

I'll 2nd the notion of joining NYHEN- the yahoo group even has sample IHIPs you can look at for ideas on how to word them when you don't use traditional curriculum materials. Just be patient when you join- the moderators are all HSing parents and may not be able to approve your application for a few days.

[Peppermint]

I found that the paperwork is *much* easier than you think

As a matter of fact I found out from Citymomx3's blog how to do my quarterly and end of year reports . Thank you Citymomx3:

[bluejaunte]

Yay! Thank you all! I can stay in NY!

[Citymomx3]

Originally Posted by Peppermint

I found that the paperwork is *much* easier than you think

As a matter of fact I found out from Citymomx3's blog how to do my quarterly and end of year reports . Thank you Citymomx3:

Your welcome, Patty!

[Cassiopeia]

Originally Posted by Peppermint

I found that the paperwork is *much* easier than you think

As a matter of fact I found out from Citymomx3's blog how to do my quarterly and end of year reports . Thank you Citymomx3:

Ha! So did I - I didn't even realize it was an MDC'er at the time!

[Peppermint]

Originally Posted by Cassiopeia

Ha! So did I - I didn't even realize it was an MDC'er at the time!

Me either