Homeschooling laws in New York, California, and Texas

Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular and widely accepted education alternative for students around the world. The first, and most important step in transitioning is understanding your independent state laws because it’ll influence the decisions you make moving forward. 

In this blog post, we’ll share the laws regarding homeschooling in New York, California, and Texas, since they hold some of the largest homeschooling communities. While we highlight the similarities and differences of just those locations, it’s important to review the laws in your state before starting your homeschooling journey. 

Novel Education is happy to help you navigate through these various steps to help provide a curriculum that meets state and national standards.

While homeschooling is lawful in all fifty states, each state holds different requirements and laws  for it. Homeschooling laws have been divided into three different statute categories with certain laws aligning in different states:

1. Standard Statute
   The first category states that homeschooling requirements are based on the same premise as if it were a private school (e.g., California, Indiana, and Texas). Due to this premise, homeschools are often required to comply with the same laws that other schools, such as private and non-accredited schools, must comply with.
2. Attendance Statute
   The second category are those states such as New Jersey and Maryland, that base homeschooling requirements on the state’s compulsory attendance statute, a law that requires children between six and eighteen years of age to attend school. While this does not directly refer to homeschooling, the unique wording allows for homeschooling to fall under the parameters of the compulsory attendance statute.
3. Homeschool Statutes
   The third category is for those that have specific statutes that directly apply to homeschooling (e.g., Maine, New Hampshire, and Iowa). While these statutes are utilized to govern and direct homeschooling instruction, they often use other phrases such as “home instruction,” “alternative instruction,” and “competent private instruction.”

New York Laws

Homeschooling without an accredited institution: 

In New York State you must comply with the following in order to be compliant with state homeschooling laws:

1. Submit a letter of intent by July 1st or within 14 days of establishing your new homeschool program during the school year.
2. Submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) by August 15th or within four weeks of the receipt of the IHIP form from the school district.
3. Meet day and hourly attendance requirements. This means you must keep a record of attendance to demonstrate that your child meets the “substantial equivalent” of 180 days per year. For grades 1-6, the hourly attendance average is 900 hours which averages to about 20 hours per week of instruction and for grades 7-12, it’s 990 hours of school/year. 
4. File quarterly reports to the district superintendent.
5. Assess the student with either a written narrative for grades 1-3 or with standardized testing for grades beyond.

For a detailed understanding of these homeschooling laws, this video from the Home School Legal Defense Association provides pertinent information. 

California Laws

Homeschooling in California changes as there are three options to choose from.

Option 1: Homeschooling as a home-based private institution

1. File a reoccurring, annual private school affidavit between October 1st and October 15th.-
2. Maintain an attendance register.
3. Instruction must be in English.
4. Instructors must be capable of teaching.
5. Provide instruction in the courses commonly taught in public schools (e.g., math, health, social studies, science, language arts, etc.)
6. Maintain a list of instructors with their addresses and qualifications.

Option 2: Homeschooling with a private school satellite program (PSP)

1. The PSP must meet all the requirements from option 1. This option is often seen in Pod homeschooling groups. 

Option 3: Homeschooling via instruction with a private tutor

1. The private tutor must have a California teaching credential for the grade level taught.
2. The child must be taught at least 3 hours a day between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a minimum of 175 days each school year. 
3. The private tutor may be a family member.

For a detailed understanding of these homeschooling laws, this video from the Home School Legal Defense Association provides pertinent information.

Does Novel’s program comply with my state’s Homeschooling laws?

When students enroll full-time with us and our partner, Laurel Springs, they bypass all state homeschooling requirements so you can sit back and relax. This stands for all international students as well since Laurel Springs is a fully accredited online private school, recognized internationally. Whether you’d like to enroll with us or use your own curriculum, Novel education can help navigate some of the challenges and regulations that come with shifting to homeschooling. 

Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our CEO and Founder, Tiffany Sorya, for advice, an academic plan of action or to start your homeschooling journey!