Across the States
Homeschool Program “Not Approved”
On August 1, 2007, Home School Legal Defense Association members Mr. and Mrs. Henderson (name changed to protect family’s privacy) submitted their Individualized Home Instruction Plans (IHIP) for their children to the East Ramapo Central School District.* Over two months later, they were surprised to receive a letter from the district stating that their homeschool program was “not approved.” The letter informed the family that if they did not revise the IHIPs immediately, they would be required to enroll their children in school.
The Hendersons quickly called HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas Schmidt for help. After reviewing the letter from East Ramapo and the Hendersons’ IHIPs, Schmidt determined that the district was clearly overstepping its authority.
Under the New York State Commissioner of Education’s regulations §100.10, a parent is to submit “a list of the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, or plan of instruction to be used in each of the required subjects” (italics added) listed in the IHIP. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson had chosen to provide a list of the textbooks they are using.
In their letter rejecting the IHIPs, East Ramapo stated that the family had failed to provide “a description of the material to be covered in each subject listed in the IHIP.” However, under New York regulations this description is to be submitted in the quarterly report(s), not in the IHIP.
Schmidt contacted East Ramapo, informing them of these errors. He pointed out that even if the district had a legitimate concern with the IHIPs, they were over four weeks past the deadline to object. After being contacted by Schmidt, the district quickly changed course and notified the family that their IHIPs were in compliance with the law.
— by Thomas J. Schmidt
* See “A plethora of forms”
Printer Friendly Version
