Answering Community Member’s Question about Homeschooling - The Mountain Eagle Reports on What Matters To You

A Sharon Springs School District representative referred all homeschooling families with questions visit the New York State Education Department Home Instruction Q&A page: www.nysed.gov/nonpublic-schools/home-instruction-questions-and-answers

By Heather Skinner

SHARON SPRINGS - It’s an honor attending events where coverage was requested and researching answers our readers entrust us to find!

A community member had questions after watching May 27th WRGB CBS 6 News Albany coverage about Gloversville homeschooler, Harmony Jayde Berkowitz-Reyes. After following strict district guidelines, completing all required classwork, and participating in extracurriculars, she felt they took away validation of all her hard work and completed testing when denied walking in Gloversville High School’s Class of 2025 graduation ceremony. The post asked, “Do you think home-schooled students should walk the stage?” Comments were mixed, so we compiled information and resources.

Multiple school districts within Schoharie County didn’t respond to answer what they do and don’t allow homeschooling families to participate in. Cobleskill-Richmondville provided contact information for their Director of Teaching and Learning, Scott McDonald (518-234-4032 ext. 5018) and recently implemented a Homeschooler Arbiter Portal for easier paperwork submission.

A Sharon Springs School District representative said she wouldn’t feel comfortable answering questions without the NYS Education Department Q&A page in front of her and recommended all with questions consult that page.

The Q&A page is also where you can view Part 100.10 Regulations: www.nysed.gov/nonpublic-schools/home-instruction-questions-and-answers .

Many Q&A page excerpts read like, “14. May students instructed at home be allowed to use school facilities such as the library, career information center and gymnasium?

Yes. Students may be allowed to use such school facilities provided that there is mutual agreement on the part of all involved parties.”

Indicating most homeschooler participation regulations are left up to each individual school, and to find out what your homeschooler can access, you must contact the school you report to.

On June 12th, Sen. Peter Oberacker posted on his Facebook page, “BREAKING NEWS - I just introduced a hostile amendment on the Senate Floor to let homeschoolers play in school sports! There’s a GLARING inconsistency in New York State law. One that discriminates against a group of children simply because how they are educated. This isn’t just bad policy–it's shameful. Support ALL of our children and let homeschoolers play!” 2 minute and 54 second video of his appeal can be watched at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BYdMEYiKE/ . He called the current policy that doesn’t allow homeschool kids to try out for school teams outdated, pointing out it denies those students the opportunity to compete, grow, and represent their communities. Adding, athletics teaches us discipline, teamwork, resilience; Oberacker asked if those values should only be available to certain children at a time we talk so much about equality and inclusion.

Homeschooling families, visit the aforementioned Q&A page for important additional information to this excerpt:

“72. If home-instructed students cannot be awarded local or Regents high school diplomas, how can they gain entrance to colleges?

Colleges set their own admissions requirements. These requirements vary from college to college.”

Vice President for Strategic Enrollment and Innovation at SUNY Cobleskill, Anna Miarka-Grzelak, explained, “To apply to SUNY Cobleskill, homeschooled students must submit their applications like any other student and simply show their school district's superintendent letter that they met the high school graduation requirements. Homeschooled students can take SUNY classes as non-matriculated students by registering for the courses they want/need. If a course requires pre-requisites, they must already have them or they need to get an instructor's permission. However, they do have to pay out of pocket for the cost since they won't qualify for financial aid until they matriculate into a degree program. At this point in time, we don't offer the College in High School rate for students who do not attend a high school.

Non-homeschooled students would follow the same rules unless their school participates in the College in High School/dual enrollment program (most do) and then they choose a class taught at their high school and pay a significantly discounted rate per credit.

Most SUNY colleges follow the same guidelines.”

Kate Meredith’s co-op is full, with a waiting list, but provided this statement and many helpful resources:

“It’s important for homeschool families to know that if their child has any special education needs, the district they live in is required to provide any support services the child qualifies for.”

“My advice to homeschoolers in Schoharie Country is to plug into the community opportunities that are available to us. I’m part of an enrichment co-op that a few friends got together and started 3 years ago. We teach art, music, and a variety of other topics. If you connect with a handful of other homeschooling parents who have the same vision you can provide many rich and wonderful educational experiences for your children.”

Meredith’s resources include Schoharie Valley Concert Band, Middleburgh Summer Band, Schoharie Valley Singers, Summer Program at Depot Lane, Theatre Project of Schoharie County, Timothy Murphy Playhouse, Vacation Bible Schools at local churches: Middleburgh Reformed Church, Schoharie Valley Community Camp, and Calvary Assembly of God. Robotics programs at Schoharie Mohawk Initiative for Science and Technology, swimming at 4everbods Fitness Club, BSA and Little League are a quick google search to find your local branch - or Facebook for the specific town you are in. Facebook Groups: 518 Homeschoolers, Home Educators Group of Schoharie County, The Social Life of a New York Homeschooler (Prom), Upstate New York Homeschoolers, Capital District NY Homeschoolers, Wild & Free Schoharie County, and Your Homeschool Village (field trips).

Also, homeschoolers can participate in the summer Richmondville Soccer League (follow them on Facebook), Schoharie County Library patrons can attend free learning events and access Educate Station lesson plans through the website of the library your library card is issued from. Cobleskill Twist’N Flip, Interskate 88, & Middleburgh Lanes offer Homeschooler use times, and Flairs & Diamond Dance Center offer mixed dance and gymnastics classes and recitals of homeschoolers and public-school children together.

Online resources: Scholastic Storyvoice, Crayola Creativity Week, Minecraft & Coding Club with Coach Haley Shea (email: learnwithshea@gmail.com), and KidNuz & Who Smarted? podcasts.

The NYS Educational Department ORISS office’s email is ORISS@nysed.gov and their main line is listed as (518) 473-8202.