This booklet summarizes minimum standards and requirements of public elementary and secondary schools in the state of New York as of November 1978. The requirements presented are digests of state law, rules of the board of regents, and regulations of the state commissioner of education. Requirements are organized topically within major sections dealing with instructional programs and noninstructional programs respectively. Requirements relevant to instructional programs include those dealing with attendance, length of school day, teacher load in high school, subjects of instruction, examinations, diplomas, handicapped children, libraries, continuing education, licensed private schools and registered business schools, disaster planning and civil preparedness in schools, fire drills, suspension of a minor, language of instruction, and released time for religious education. Noninstructional program requirements are presented for educational facilities, transportation, school district organization, health services, registration of secondary schools, and required compensatory programs. (Author/LD)