Starting homeschooling in Pennsylvania involves several steps, including withdrawing your child from public school, submitting a Home Educator Affidavit and Education Objectives to your school district, logging homeschooling hours, keeping track of everything, and organizing your child’s portfolio. Home education programs in Pennsylvania have legally required courses and standardized testing requirements for elementary and secondary levels, as well as graduation requirements.
To start a homeschooling program in Pennsylvania, you must submit a notarized affidavit to the superintendent’s office in your student’s district of residence. The proposed program must be approved by a certified special education teacher or a licensed clinical or certified school.
Meeting minimum requirements for home educators, such as having a high school diploma or equivalent and no major criminal record, is essential. To successfully set up your own homeschool program legally in Pennsylvania, you must meet the education requirements, complete a homeschool affidavit, and teach the required subjects for at least 180 hours. To learn more about the legal requirements for homeschooling in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.
📹 Registering for Homeschool in Pennsylvania || Everything I Turn Into Public School District
Hi guys! Today I am sharing everything that I prepare and take with us to turn into the school district office to continue to …
Is homeschool free in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is a unique state that provides free access to teaching materials, extracurricular activities, and a path to a state-recognized diploma for homeschoolers. To begin homeschooling in Pennsylvania, you need to enroll in the program, stay compliant with state laws, and find support. You may also need to find the best homeschool programs and integrate field trips into your curriculum. Pennsylvania homeschooling laws, associations, groups, and co-ops are available to help you navigate the process. Time4Learning is the leading homeschool curriculum in Pennsylvania, offering standardized testing and test preparation.
What tests are required for homeschooling in PA?
Homeschooled students in grades 3, 5, or 8 must take and report the results of statewide tests or nationally normed achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics. The Home Education Program Basic Education Circular (BEC) can be reviewed. Home education programs are not considered nonpublic schools under the home education law, but rather programs. All laws and regulations referenced are located in the Laws and Regulations section of the guide.
How do I start homeschooling in PA?
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania requires meeting education requirements, completing a homeschool affidavit, teaching subjects for 180 days or 900+ hours per year, testing children in grades 3, 5, and 8, keeping proper records, and completing an annual evaluation. Unschooling is legal in PA as long as homeschooling requirements are met, and parents are encouraged to teach in their child’s best interests while following the law. Miaplaza is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information.
Are vaccines required for homeschool in PA?
Pennsylvania mandates all school children, including homeschooled ones, to be immunized. However, exemptions can be made for medical reasons, religious beliefs, or strong moral or ethical convictions. Homeschool families should keep their records or exemptions on file and attach them to their Homeschool Affidavit annually. Pennsylvania offers numerous resources for homeschooling families, including support, entertainment, and educational opportunities. Local homeschool organizations can provide connections to highly recommended evaluators.
Is unschooling legal in PA?
Pennsylvania homeschool regulations do not prohibit specific teaching methods, philosophies, or styles, making unschooling a legal and valid approach as long as you cover the required days/hours and demonstrate learning through your annual student portfolio. This guide provides tips for getting started homeschooling in Pennsylvania, including requirements to follow throughout the school year, and choosing the right curriculum.
However, this article is not legal advice and should be checked with your local school board and official Pennsylvania laws. Homeschooling is closely regulated in Pennsylvania, and Sonlight moms have expressed that it is not difficult to homeschool in the Keystone State.
What is the hardest state to homeschool in?
Homeschooling is a nontraditional schooling option that occurs outside of a classroom and without the use of additional programs. It involves parents, family members, and the student being responsible for their academic success. Homeschooling differs from online schooling, which is approved or accredited by a governing body. It can happen at home, on the road, or anywhere you choose. The regulations and requirements for high school students vary by state, with some states having strict guidelines, while others like Connecticut and Idaho have very little regulation.
New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are the states with the highest level of regulation for homeschooling. It is essential to give notice to the state when considering homeschooling for your child or student.
What is required in a homeschool portfolio in Pennsylvania?
A portfolio of records and materials is a crucial tool for home educators to document their student’s progress. It includes a log, samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials, and results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics. The department must establish a list of tests for the supervisor to select if the tests are not chosen. The portfolio may also include results of other subject areas or grade levels.
There are various ways to assemble a portfolio, such as using a three-ring binder with sheet protectors, an envelope, compact disc, folder, or report cover. The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate progress to the evaluator, who will write a letter or form letter stating that learning has taken place for the required amount of time. The superintendent uses the evaluator’s letter to determine compliance, so it is essential to select an evaluator who understands your philosophy and method of home education.
It is also wise to choose an evaluator early in the year and ask what they like in a portfolio. Be aware of the law and avoid making extra demands for documentation that go over and above what is required by law.
Is online school free in PA?
PA Virtual is a public charter school in Pennsylvania that provides tuition-free online education, funded by Pennsylvania taxpayers. The institution provides all the requisite resources for an exemplary educational experience for children.
What are the best years to homeschool?
Homeschooling for elementary school (ages 5-11) can enhance children’s awareness and ability to articulate new thoughts, concepts, and experiences. They may assert more independence to their parents. It’s important to determine your child’s learning style and explore different types of homeschooling to find the best fit for your family. If your children are already in public school, withdraw them before homeschooling. Sample letters can be found in the Start Homeschooling section.
How many credits to graduate homeschool in PA?
PA homeschool law mandates a minimum of 15 credits between grades 9 and 12, including 4 years of English, 3 years each of social studies, science, math, and 2 years of arts and humanities. Most conventional high schools require between 21 and 27 credits, with some requiring 4 years each of math and science. Some schools also require special graduation projects, community service hours, state and local achievement testing standards, and a minimum number of electives. This mimimal graduation requirement allows students to explore a variety of topics, activities, hobbies, jobs, start businesses, or focus on one interest, which can help them discern a career path.
How do I get a diploma for homeschooling in PA?
Homeschooled students can obtain a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CCSD) by passing a high school equivalency test or completing 30 college level credits from a United States accredited postsecondary institution. This is applicable to students who graduated before October 31, 2014, or those who did not complete the graduation requirements for a home education high school diploma. To verify completion of a home education program prior to October 31, 2014, students can request a letter from the superintendent of their district stating they fulfilled all graduation requirements, or complete a Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) form or send a letter to PHEAA. The PHEAA form can be obtained from a link under the question “Must I be a high school graduate to qualify for a State Grant?”.
📹 Step by Step Process for Pennsylvania Homeschool Evaluations|| PA Homeschooling
Hi!! Today I am sharing with you my step-by-step process for planning and gathering all the things needed for end of year PA …
This was helpful. I’m homeschooling my 3 girls (age 9, 6, 3) for this upcoming school year. Your article was confirmation that I followed the right steps. I am still in the process if finding an evaluator and seeing what kind of activities I can use over the summer to count as school activities. I’ll be sure to check out your other articles for some guidance!
Hello! Thank you for your articles. We may be moving to PA and we want to continue homeschooling our children. So the process in PA is to register using the info you provided in this article, then take attendance for the 180 days or 900 hours, and then the end of the school year evaluation… Is that it? Lol I’m just trying to make a checklist so I can make sure I know what will be expected of us. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you so much for these type of articles. I’m also from PA and we’re starting this new journey this year. I think I have everything covered except the list of objectives that has to be turned in. My daughter is starting kindergarten, but she has health delays so basically I will be doing both pre-school and kindergarten for her because she doesn’t know all her basics just yet. How would an objectives list need to look for a Kindergarten, do I need to put all those subjects for this age? I’m still trying to get a hang of everything, this is all so new to us and I don’t know any homeschool moms either. Also we’re going to be using Easy Peasy as well 😊
Hello, very informative article. So I was wondering. If I am enrolling my child in liberty university online academy, which is an accredited homeschool program which we will be paying a tuition to, do we still have to register our child to the state of Pennsylvania? For I too, live in PA. Any info you could give would be greatly appreciated.
I’m in Pa as well and we are getting ready for our evaluation in two weeks, Lord willing. To avoid being overwhelmed with picking out paper at the end of the year; before one of our breaks start ( Fall Break/Spring Break & Summer Break) we go through the work and put it inside of the binders. Now that our year is almost over our binders are 2/3 filled 😃.
I would LOVE to see a article on the flight unit!! I’ve been considering homeschooling my son whos highly functioning on the autism scale and his obsessionnis becoming a pilot. I was racking my brain already on how I could incorporate learning that interest into his homeschool curriculum and would love a little inspo article on that unit specifically!! ❤✈️
In our state we have to turn in a report for review and last November I wasn’t required to as we hadn’t been there for a year but this November will be my 1st year end review!!! In the U.K. there was no requirements!!! We use the same person that we used for the planing application for our house as she’s now in the education department in the state!!! We have to use someone in the education department of state government!!! We give kids ages I believe!!! We did when we registered to homeschool in our state!!! We have to show hours and/or progress!!! I’ve not thought of a reading log!!!
Thank you bunches . We are in Pa also. Just wrapping up & getting ready for eval. Wow, I’m glad I’ve never had to wait for a letter from our district . That wouldn’t feel good . We either have everything ( end year docs from evaluation etc) handed into district or not . It’s just black & white. We have had marked issues from district . We are placing prayer over that situation to be graceful from now on . Thanks again, now you & your lovely family enjoy a safe & happy summer.