Pennsylvania Homeschool Law
Homeschool Laws: Pennsylvania Requirements for Having a Legal Home Education Program
Please note that this article was written in 2023 and is not updated - I no longer live in Pennsylvania and do not keep up with the laws and homeschool requirements. I’m simply leaving this page up for those who have found it to be helpful reference in their journey. If you are new to homeschooling, please hop over to HSLDA for current homeschooling laws by state.
To begin homeschooling in Pennsylvania, you should know what state home education laws require before taking action.
PA is one of the most authoritarian states for having a home education program. Still, I can assure you that it's completely doable and something that shouldn't intimidate you from pursuing what you think is best for your family.
Here's the Quick Checklist of requirements, from Pennsylvania homeschooling laws, so you're not overwhelmed:
File an affidavit by Aug.1 (considered early by July 1) –Certified Mail/Return Receipt Requested to the superintendent of the school district
Teach your kids
Make a portfolio
(a) Samples of your child's work
(b) Log of titles of materials used
(c) Testing results (grades 3, 5, and 8 only)
Have evaluation completed
Submit an evaluation letter to the school district
Related Reading: Keeping Homeschool Records: Organizing Homeschool Paperwork
And with much greater detail, here is what Pennsylvania families need to know!
As a disclaimer, this is not legal advice and does not cover those who choose to use a suitably qualified private tutor or tutoring program. I have not sought private tutoring, so I do not have experience with that route. If that is the route best for your family, please look into finding a properly qualified private tutor and the requirements for such courses.
At What Age Do I Have To Register My Child To Homeschool In Pennsylvania?
If you have a child who is 6 years old, they need to be registered with their district as a homeschooled student. Once your child is 6, you’d be considered homeschooling kindergarten in PA.
If your children are older, and you are pulling them from a district, you must register your child every year they are homeschooled.
I do not have experience with homeschooling and keeping a transcript for and graduating high school. I would suggest checking out HSLDA for that.
Homeschool Kindergarten: Pennsylvania
To homeschool kindergarten, Pennsylvania has no different requirements than for older students - once they’re registered, it’s the same process required.
When submitting my affidavit, my kindergarten homeschool objectives are the same ones I use for the elementary school years. Of course, this doesn’t mean I teach the same things, teaching a 6-year-old is vastly different than teaching a 10-year-old!
Related Reading: A Beginner’s Guide To Homeschooling Kindergarten. Learn everything you need for a successful year!
What are the requirements for homeschooling in PA?
Costs For Homeschooling In Pennsylvania
First off, I’ll start by telling you that the cost of homeschooling in PA is free. You do not have to pay any fees to pull your child from the school system and educate them from home. You will have to figure out your own curriculum and that usually has costs.
State Laws & Requirements for Homeschooling in PA
Now, let's break down the existing law from the PA Department of Education into understandable chunks.
First Requirement: Who Can Teach The Kids
"Section 1327.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code provides for a home education program designed to permit a parent, guardian or legal custodian ("supervisor") who has a high school diploma or its equivalent to conduct a home education program for his or her child or children."
To homeschool children in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the first requirement is that the program (or homeschool) be run by someone with at least a high school diploma or equivalent and is the child's parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian.
Now that you know who can teach them, how do you register?
Second Requirement - Filing The Affidavit and Objectives
From the Department of Education:
"Prior to the commencement of a home education program and annually thereafter between July 1 and August 1, the supervisor must submit a notarized affidavit to the superintendent of the school district in accordance with Section 1327.1(b)(1) and 1327(d).
In addition to the notarized affidavit, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian must attach:
an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area,
evidence (records or a letter from the physician) that the child or children have been immunized as required by School Code Sec. 1303(a) unless a physician certifies the child has a medical contraindication to immunization and
evidence (records or a letter from the physician) that the child or children have received medical services required for students of the child's or children's age or grade level in Article XIV, or religious exemption for these two requirements."
Between July 1 and August 1, you need to file a notarized affidavit with a list of education objectives (subjects you plan to teach) with your local school district. The affidavit is best sent as certified mail to the attention of the school district superintendent.
Do not walk this into your local school district office. Instead, pay to send it certified through the mail. I always pay extra for a signature confirmation (return receipt requested) that the office received my letter to keep for my records. Be sure to address the envelope care of the school district's superintendent!
It's worth the few extra dollars to have the peace of mind that it wasn't lost in the system and that I'm covered legally by having it filed with the school district.
I have an affidavit and educational objectives template saved on my computer that I print out each year, write in the appropriate blank spaces, get notarized, and mail in. Don't be intimidated! The whole process takes about 10 minutes minus drive and wait-in-line time.
Related Reading: Keeping Homeschool Records: Organize Your Homeschool Paperwork Like a Pro
Affidavit and Educational Objectives
I got my affidavit template from PAHomeschoolLaw.com back in 2019 - here's her excellent post on how to create an affidavit and list of Objectives yourself (it's easy!):
Remember, you are NOT waiting for (or needing!) approval to homeschool! School districts do not determine whether or not you can start your program. Once you send the paperwork, you are good to go! Explore curricula, create a schedule, and you’re on your way!
Related Reading: How to create the best homeschool schedule for your family! A complete guide with free homeschool schedule templates!
Along that line of reassurance, the list of objectives cannot be used to determine the adequacy of your homeschool by your district's school directors - so please don't worry about it.
You can use the same form whether you have one or more children in your homeschool. I use the same form for two children and will add my third once she is of compulsory school age. My school district has never had any issues with the single filing.
Once ready, you can get yours notarized at your bank, title transfer businesses, or other local businesses advertising the services. Sometimes AAA will do it if you're a member but know there's usually a fee regardless of where you go. Sometimes your local State Representative's office will do it for free. Always call ahead to double-check services and appointment availability!
You can check HSLDA for their Pennsylvania Homeschool Affidavit and Declaration for sample affidavit templates. HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association and is the ultimate legal tool to have your back while homeschooling - nationwide!
They are the largest homeschool advocacy group in the United States. They are member-driven, and though I have no personal experience working with them, I've heard they are well worth the nominal investment for legal peace of mind.
Third Requirement - Teach and Create a Portfolio
Now that you have the required forms filed with your school district, you can officially start counting your homeschool instructional days! (You need 180 for the year)
While you tackle the school year, keep evidence of learning by having a system for organized homeschool records. You'll need to have a qualified evaluator wrap up your year with an evaluation that comes from creating a portfolio of student work.
So keep track of when you visit that children's museum or any of the online courses you might enroll in. Write down the video on world history you watched or log the meet-ups with the science homeschool group. All such programs count, and extracurricular activities too!
Your homeschool program is your business. As long as you provide evidence of learning and appropriate education for your homeschooled students, your school year is yours to create to your liking.
We keep a single page of each subject that shows the beginning, middle, and end of the year to show growth and prove regular and continuous instruction. That looks like a page of math and writing sample from August, January, and the end of May.
You'll also need to record your materials (your curriculum), titles, books, and other reading materials used.
A simple trick is to print another copy of your educational objectives and write the curriculum used for each subject right next to the subject line. Also, get a print-out of your library record of books checked out and materials used. It may be helpful to have your children have individual library cards for this purpose.
Qualified Evaluators
You'll need to find a qualified evaluator to complete your child's annual written evaluation. This person must be either a teacher certified by the Commonwealth or a licensed clinical or school psychologist.
To evaluate elementary students, they must have experience with the elementary school level. The same concept applies to secondary students who need evaluators with experience at the secondary school level.
This site has excellent information regarding evaluators - HomeschoolPennsylvania.org.
Do PA homeschoolers have to take standardized tests?
Yes, but only some grade levels are required, and you can choose the test.
From the Department of Education:
"The Pennsylvania School Code, 24 PS §13-1327.1(e)(1) states that the portfolio for home education students in grades 3, 5, and 8 must include the results of the statewide tests for reading/language arts and mathematics or nationally normed standardized achievements tests. If the supervisor of the home education program requests that the student(s) take the statewide tests administered in these grades, the school district must allow the student to take the test at the school building the home education student normally would attend or other accommodations agreed to by the school district and the parent.
You must choose between approved tests to include in their final portfolio if you homeschool a child in 3rd, 5th, or 8th grade.
From the Department of Education:
"The Department has approved the following nationally normed standardized tests for use by home education programs if they choose not to take the statewide test:
California Achievement Test
Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV)
Iowa Test of Basic Skills
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
Metropolitan Achievement Test
Peabody Achievement Individual Test – Revised Version
Stanford Achievement Test
Terra Nova
Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III
Woodcock-Johnson IV
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test III (WIAT-III)
Once you complete the evaluation and required testing (as needed), they will provide you with a written copy evaluation that you send (certified mail!) to your school district's superintendent. Be sure to keep a copy for your files!
Other Considerations
If you choose to withdraw your student from their school district, the process is the same for both private schools and public schools.
Be sure to file your affidavit BEFORE withdrawing them so that there are no days that could be considered truant. Children in Pennsylvania must attend school with the local school district or within a home education program.
If you withdraw from your school district before filing the legal paperwork, there is time in the school year that needs to be accounted for. So to comply with Pennsylvania homeschool laws, you must have the affidavit on file before you can begin homeschooling.
Withdrawing from a school varies with different school districts but is usually found on their website.
IEPs and Gifted Students
As for Pennsylvania homeschoolers with special education needs, I do not have any advice and would recommend further research on such PA law requirements. I only have experience with GIEPs, which fall under a different education law than IEPs. Therefore, I am not sure if there are additional requirements. GIEPs do not require any special considerations for homeschooling in Pennsylvania.
You can do this!
Believe in yourself and know that you are enough for your children.
There are amazing curriculums with excellent, creative materials available to home educators. You do not need to be a certified teacher to provide a quality education for your child.
How To Get Started With Homeschooling Links:
Learn how to create a homeschool schedule
Download free schedule templates in the shop
Learn how to make homeschool lesson planning the super easy way
Find the best homeschool record keeping system for you with these options
Download portfolio & evaluation documents
Related Reading: Achieving Homeschooling Success - 5 Easy Tips for Maximizing Your Experience & Enjoying the Journey
There is no shame in pulling them out of school and trying something new. There is also no shame in re-enrolling them in public school or private school mid-year if homeschooling doesn't work for your family.
You are doing what's best for your child's education and future, which matters most.
Sources:
Pennsylvania Homeschooling Law: 1949 Act 14 Section 1327.1. Home Education Program
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