Yes!
You must submit a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration and a list of brief educational objectives to the superintendent of the school district where you reside. This should be sent via certified mail or delivered in person to the school district. Obtain a delivery receipt from the school district if you deliver it in person.
Once the affidavit/unsworn declaration and objectives have been submitted to the school district, you may immediately begin homeschooling. You do not have to wait for “permission” from the school district to begin homeschooling.
Note: You should obtain a copy of your student’s public school attendance records prior to withdrawing him/her, so that you can count completed public school days towards the 180 days of school required by law.
For example, if you withdraw your student after 50 days of public school, you will need to complete 130 days of homeschool by June 30 to be in compliance with state law. Keep in mind, however, that the end-of-the year portfolio must be evaluated and the evaluator’s letter submitted to the school district by June 30, so it is a good idea to finish your homeschool days in time to complete the portfolio evaluation & submit the letter to the school district.
While not required by law, it is wise to include a withdrawal letter with your affidavit/unsworn declaration to avoid any question of truancy with the school district. Here are some sample withdrawal letters.
Yes, students will need to fufill school district requirements, this may include additional requirements beyond the traditional homeschool statue such as additional academic reports to the school. Contact your local school district to learn about their requirements.
Pennsylvania Homeschooled students meeting the same eligibility criteria as public school students may participate in extracurricular activities at their public school district of residence. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, clubs, musical ensembles, athletics, and theatrical productions. 24 Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated § 13-1327.1(f.1). See also 24 Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated § 5-511.
HSLDA has a web page with more information including pros and cons: HSLDA Sports and Public School Classes
No. Home education programs must include instruction in specific subjects at the elementary and secondary school levels. Thus, the homeschool program should include sufficient instruction in each required subject to enable each student to become proficient or develop mastery at the required level.
For core subjects, this may require rigorous annual instruction. But the law does not specifically require students to receive instruction in every required subject every year—with one exception: programs must include “regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires.” (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1[c]).
Parents must maintain a portfolio of records and materials to demonstrate that the program consists of “instruction in the required subjects for the time required in this act and in which the student demonstrates sustained progress in the overall program” (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1[a]).
Many homeschoolers interpret “regular and continuous instruction” as yearly instruction.
From the law: ” safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires…”
No. The school district should ONLY receive the letter from your evaluator noting that your student is making acceptable educational progress. Remember, this evaluation letter is due to the school district by June 30th of each year.
Our best tip is to seek God for help in meeting your needs in all areas of life. Don’t under estimate his abilities to lead you in the right direction. Other options including searching online for homeschooling co-ops or support groups in your area. Go to the library in the middle of the day and see if any other kids are around. Try an online homeschool forum that may uncover other local homeschoolers but at the very least will give you some other parents to share experiences with. Look for and attend homeschool days at museums to seek out other families. Also considering volunteering with a homeschool organization. Finally, you can view a list of homeschool groups in the state by visiting our website.
Find Homeschool Groups
The CHAP link below has information on many different standardized tests.
Choosing and Ordering Standardized Tests
Some homeschool co-ops also offer group testing. Check with your local co-op for more information.
A good place to start is to ask other homeschoolers in your area. You can also visit the CHAP website for a list of portfolio evaluators or google for listings in your area. If you still cannot find an evaluator, you might ask the local school district who other homeschoolers are using.
CHAP suggests that you discuss expectations with your proposed evaluator to make sure that they are in agreement with your educational philosophy and that you understand what the evaluator will expect to review in your student’s portfolio. It is wise to begin this process before the end of the school year so you are not scrambling at the end of June.
Testing is mandated by the state in grades 3, 5, & 8. The state maintains a
list of approved tests. Here is the list of approved tests. Each test
has its own rules about how to proctor the test.
Look for resources in your area. Many co-ops provide this service even to
non-members. Some evaluators will also provide testing services.
HSLDA has a list of test providers that will help you secure a test
and administer it properly. (HSLDA Test Providers)
You must submit a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration and a list of brief educational objectives to the superintendent of the school district where you reside. This should be sent via certified mail or delivered in person to the school district. Obtain a delivery receipt from the school district if you deliver it in person. It is also wise to notify the cyber school, in writing, that the student is being withdrawn. Once the affidavit/unsworn declaration and objectives have been submitted to the school district, you may immediately begin homeschooling. You do not have to wait for “permission” from either the school district or the cyber school to begin homeschooling.
Note: You may want to obtain a copy of your student’s cyber school records prior to withdrawing him/her, so that you can count completed cyber school days towards the 180 days of school required by law.
As a courtesy, you may want to notify your school district that you have withdrawn from cyber school so that they can discontinue payments.
Pennsylvania is full of history! Check with your local libraries, parks and museums for exhibits, reenactments and exciting books to read on PA history. There are also many opportunities to get great deals for you family (check with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation for special deals). Happy Trails!
Don’t let fulfilling your fire safety requirement be stressful. This should be a delightful detour from your normal school schedule.
For young kids: Check out a video or book from the library on the topic of fire safety. Coloring pages or worksheets are good too because you can stick them in your portfolio. You can find some to download at homeschooling.about.com.
For older kids: Have them explore the U.S. Fire Administration Website. There are statistics to read, videos to watch, and webinars to attend. You could also have them research a fire related topic like smoke detectors or fire extinguishers to learn how effective they are or how they work.
Other Ideas: Practice your escape plan, change the batteries in your smoke detector, stop drop and roll, or go shopping for a new smoke detector and install it. These things all qualify as fire safety topics. Also be sure to visit your local fire department and meet the people who protect your community.
Homeschooled students are required to get the same health screenings that a public school student receives.
- Physical examination upon original entry into school and again in 6th and 11th grades
- Dental examination upon original entry into school and again in 3rd grade and 7th grade.
- Hearing examination in grades K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 11th
- Annual vision test
- Annual height and weight measurement
- Tuberculosis test upon original entry into school and again in 9th grade
- Scoliosis screening in 6th and 7th grade
These screenings do not need to be submitted to your school district, your yearly affidavit attests that your student has received the health and medical services required.Pennsylvania state law does allow for a religious exemption to these medical services. An exemption form must be submitted with your yearly affidavit.
The diploma programs have a role in helping parents who would like assistance in
planning their child’s high school years. They provide an outline that helps parents fulfill the law and set standards that are related to their particular diplomas. After successful completion the student receives a diploma from the organization.
With the passage of the new homeschooling law in 2014, a state approved parent-issued diploma is now regarded with the same level of recognition as private or state school diplomas. So in the end, each family must determine what they would like to do as they travel this home educational model: use a diploma program, use a state approved parent- issued diploma, or non-state approved parent-issued diploma. If you get a diploma from one of the approved diploma agencies, they are recognized by the state. They have the same status as the state approved parent-issued diploma. Some colleges are aware of some of these diploma programs, and sometimes this may help in the admission process. However, only two states in the union have these programs, and out-of-state homeschooled students and Pennsylvania homeschooled students have been and will continue to be able to get into college with just parent-issued diplomas.
Pennsylvania law requires that homeschool students take standardized tests in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades.