Some homeschooling advocates think that NY has some of the most burdensome regulations going. I never minded the accountability. Knowing that I had to report what I was doing gave me extra incentive to be sure I kept on track. There are no educational requirements for the parents, high school diploma is good enough. You have to mail in a Letter of Intent to Homeschool, send them at most a list of textbooks you're using and file quarterly reports for the 4 marking periods. I dislike paperwork but it's more of an annoyance than burden. The mistake a lot of people make is thinking that you have to get permission to homeschool when, in fact, you TELL them you're homeschooling. There is the factor of getting over the mentality of thinking that you answer to the school district because we are so used to the schools telling us what to do as if they have authority over us; which they don't.
I registered our daughter with a private school for diploma and transcript purposes. When I'd send in our Letter of Intent, I just mentioned that she was registered at that school, and I just sent in a copy of the transcript when I received it. And after she turned 16, I didn't have to send even the Letter, anymore.
I have to send in her portfolio to the private school after the end of the school year (which is Aug. 31st), but I have to document everything so the school has copies of tests, writings, the Daily Log, etc. so that if they are 'audited' by the accrediation folks, they have what they need to show that they credentialled her work properly. I don't mind the portfolio thing because since I had to do it each year, I didn't procrastinate and try to do all four years from memory! ;o)