Welcome to Home Instruction.

The following school districts subscribe to the TST BOCES Home Instruction Service:  Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, and South Seneca School Districts.

If you wish to home school your child, you must send a letter of intent to the Coordinator of Home Instruction.  The Coordinator works very closely with your school's Superintendent.  The Coordinator is a support person and can assist you or answer any questions you might have about Home Instruction.

The letter of intent must include your name and address, your child's name (first, middle, and last), birth date, grade the instruction will take place, as well as the duration that the instruction will occur (for example from September 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013).  This letter is due in the office on July 1st or within fourteen days of commencing Home Instruction.

Paperwork can be sent to: Dr. Douglas Chappell,  Coordinator of Home Instruction. TST BOCES, 555 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY  14850. Email is also a great way to communicate and save on postage and paper. Please send e-mail to homeinstruction@tstboces.org or to dchappell@tstboces.org .

The basic requirements for home schooling your child are:

• 180 days of instruction per year, 900 hours or 224 hours per quarter required
• the development of an Individualized Home Instruction Plan due August 15 or within 4 weeks of notification of intent to home school
• a Letter of Intent to Home School due by July 1st or within 14 days of beginning home schooling
• 4 quarterly reports which indicate the progress of your home schooler
• annual evaluation

A couple of useful links for home schooling families are the following: