The World is Our Classroom

We learn by doing

Homeschoolers are hardly ever home

One-on-one learning in a loving environment

Homeschooling is a Legal Option in All 50 States

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Legalities & Regulations

Unfortunately, some would-be homeschoolers are intimidated by legal authorities, or they think they don’t want to deal with the legal aspect of homeschooling. But with a little strategic thought and key resources, you can have your legal bases covered and move forward with homeschooling. It’s a good idea to recognize that homeschooling is, in fact, legal in every state. Some people are concerned that it might be illegal, or somehow they will be branded as … READ MORE

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The Big S

If you’ve ever been scrolling along on Facebook, you may have seen an article or a mention about homeschooling, or a specific mention of a homeschooler who did….whatever they did. Sometimes it’s something fantastic, like win a science fair, write a novel, get into Harvard at the age of 15 or something else that inspires us and makes us think about homeschooling in a positive light. But then there are the horror stories–you know…  READ MORE

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What Kind of Homeschool?

Educational theorists, from philosophers like Socrates and Rousseau to researchers like Howard Gardner today, have addressed theories of learning. Many of their ideas continue to influence homeschoolers as well as traditional educators. A little familiarity with some of the ideas most popular among homeschoolers will help you make sense of the wealth of available materials … READ MORE

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Welcome to Long Islanders Growing at Home Together (LIGHT)

 

There could be a hundred and one reasons why you’re here. In the end, it’s all about the children… Whether you have always thought about homeschooling in NY or you were thrown into it with little other choice or anywhere in between – this is a place for us to meet, greet and support one another.

  • Percent of Homeschool Children in US 3.5% 3.5%
  • Annual Homeschool Growth 8% 8%
  • Performance over public school 30% 30%

Homeschooling

 

This site is provided as an opportunity for the homeschoolers on Long Island and of the US to use as a venue in sustaining their community – a gathering around a common goal. Home Education is legal in every state of the US, although each state has their own set of laws, regulations or constitutionality behind how involved the state is with your homeschooling. The first rule of thumb when considering home educating is to know that no matter what your circumstances, with some ingenuity, almost everyone can homeschool their children. You do not need permission, a teaching degree, or have to hire a tutor unless you choose to do so. 

You can take control of your child’s education and do what’s best for them. Nothing can beat one on one teaching modified to the child’s learning style. Children do better academically in homeschooling. Once you decide to homeschool, the two best things you can do for yourself and your child or children is:

  • Give your child some time to “deschool.”
  • Learn the homeschool laws or regulations for your state as best as you can. Never stop learning them throughout your homeschool years.

In reference to the first item, this means you are going to resist the urge to feel like you have to be doing something every second of their ‘school’ time. I’m going to let you in on a little secret… after working with hundreds of children over my decade+ of homeschooling in New York I can emphatically say that children will learn at their own pace and method no matter how many rewards and punishments you dole out. The trick is to learn how each child learns, which is done more easily in a homeschool setting.

Of course, there are some classes you will take with other homeschoolers since it’s fun to learn certain subjects in groups and have time to play and hang out together when the workshop is over. If you’re well entrenched in the system of the school or have always sought out alternative education, leaving the system may or may not present challenges for you and your family. It’s normal to feel nervous and afraid of what homeschooling entails; mostly parents worry they are not doing the best for their child since they are not a qualified teacher. There are many resources that parents can use in the grades that might be too hard to teach and there are online classes for children of all ages. You don’t have to go it alone.

Additionally, there is a thriving Homeschool Community in just about every community – and has been long before the digital age. There’s one last thing I’d like to tell new homeschoolers, and I can’t say this loudly enough – It is your LEGAL right to homeschool so do not feel bullied into buying a legal service to support that right. There are no lawyers that are certified in any of the legal groups that tout themselves as homeschool legal proponents and most of what they do can be done by support groups.

Confused About Required Hours of Instruction? Don’t Be!

Confused About Required Hours of Instruction? Don’t Be!

Those of us lucky enough to homeschool in New York State (yes, my tongue is firmly in cheek!) sometimes look at the homeschooling laws and feel slight panic set in. Before anyone jumps on me about complaining that New York has rules and regulations and says that...

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Homeschooling With Teenagers

Homeschooling With Teenagers

Let's talk about homeschooling with teenagers. I want to be very sincere. When my daughter who is now almost fourteen was 12 years old with terrible mood swings. She was no longer my obedient little girl, she began to have a harder, firmer temperament, and with mood...

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How Does Homeschooling Work?

How Does Homeschooling Work?

I already decided to implement it, now what?, I want to do homeschool but I do not know how ... When we try to take the next step we find ourselves with many doubts, How does homeschooling work? Where do I begin? What books do I buy? How Does Homeschooling Work?...

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Tips For First-Time Homeschoolers Parents

Tips For First-Time Homeschoolers Parents

The time has come when you should bring your children to school, and you have courageously decided not to do so and become first-time homeschoolers parents. I remember it, the fears, the doubts, the insecurity, the nerves, the uncertainty ... Despite having informed...

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4 Tips to Start Homeschooling

4 Tips to Start Homeschooling

As former consumers of the school and all that it means, and then as parents of children who attend school, we load with certain parameters about the number of daily tasks a child should do, the amount of content that we should address, the number of weeks in which we...

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How To Start Homeschooling on Long Island

 

There will be many forms such as your quarterly reports and Individualized Home Instruction Plans (IHIP) that you will have to submit throughout the school year to ensure that your child’s education is aligned with the New York State Education Department Commissioner’s Regulation 100.10. And throughout that process you will receive information for next steps, however to start homeschooling on Long Island, NY all you need is to follow these steps.

 

Step 1: File Your Notice Of Intention

Once you’ve made the decision to begin your homeschooling journey you must file your notice of intention to homeschool with the appropriate school district. If your child has not been enrolled in school you can submit at any time, however, if your child or children are currently enrolled in a school program you must file within 14 days after pulling them out of school.

 

Step 2:  Submit Your Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP)

You can start this process before receiving confirmation of Step 1. This is where you will decide your curriculum and essentially let the district know that you are prepared and have resources that you will use for your child’s education. This is not for them to approve, rather solely to acknowledge you have a plan in place. 

For a more detailed explanation about IHIP and homeschooling regulations check out this article.

 

Step 3: Submit Your Quarterly Reports

These reports are to share with your Long Island school district what was covered per subject for that quarter of the school year. As a parent, you will decide the actual dates for quarterly reports on your IHIP.  In the quarterly report, you will also be required to show attendance which is 900 hours of homeschool instruction per year for grades 1-6 and 990 hours for grades 7-12. 

 

Step 4: Submit Your Annual Assessment

Your child will be required to take a standardized test or written evaluation. To ensure you are up to date on current regulations for the annual assessment check out these resources.

New York State Education Department   

Bridgeway Academy 

“Most learning is not the result of instruction. It is rather the result of unhampered participation in a meaningful setting. Most people learn best by being “with it,” yet school makes them identify their personal, cognitive growth with elaborate planning and manipulation.”

― Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society

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