HOMESCHOOLING IN PENNSYLVANIA & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling in Pennsylvania, but don’t know where to start regarding Pennsylvania homeschool laws and requirements. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own homeschool program legally in Pennsylvania. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in Pennsylvania, current Pennsylvania homeschool laws and regulations, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Homeschooling has a long history in Pennsylvania, dating back to the colonial era when many children were educated at home. In the 1980s, as the modern homeschool movement began to grow across the United States, Pennsylvania passed its first home education law in 1988. This Pennsylvania law officially recognized homeschooling as a legal educational option in the state.
Under this initial law, homeschooling in PA was overseen by local school districts who were responsible for ensuring that homeschooled students were receiving an appropriate education. Homeschool parents or those with legal custody had to submit a notarized affidavit to their local district superintendent each year, along with a portfolio of educational records for review.
In 2014, Pennsylvania passed a new home education law that removed local school district oversight. Instead, homeschool parents submit the required affidavit with education objectives and documentation directly to the state. This change streamlined the process and provided more consistency across the state.
Today, homeschooling in Pennsylvania continues to be a thriving educational option in the state. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, over 24,000 children were homeschooled during the 2019-2020 school year, representing approximately 3% of the state’s total student population. Notably, homeschool enrollments have been steadily increasing in recent years, reflecting the continued popularity and acceptance of homeschooling as a viable educational alternative.
Current Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws and Regulations
Pennsylvania homeschool laws have evolved over time, reflecting changes in educational practices and policies. Initially, Pennsylvania home education law 24 P.S. § 13-1327(d), was introduced to permit home education programs as a valid option for complying with compulsory attendance laws. This provision of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws also required pre-approval of the program for special education students, except for gifted students. Further clarification and delineation of responsibilities were provided through the addition of 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1 of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws, specifying the Pennsylvania homeschool requirements and responsibilities of both parents/legal guardians and school districts in the family’s local school district.
In 2005, Act 67 of the PA home education law expanded the rights of homeschooled students by granting them the opportunity to attend school extracurricular activities within their school district of residence. Act 196 of 2014 of the PA home education law brought about significant amendments to 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws. These amendments to the PA home education law included defining the “Department” as the Department of Education of the Commonwealth, introducing provisions for awarding high school diplomas by supervisors or approved diploma-granting organizations, and modifying processes related to portfolio review and compliance evaluation. Notably, Act 196 of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws also established the court of common pleas as part of the appeal process and allowed the continuation of a home education program during any appeal.
In 2022, Act 55 of the PA home education law, further amended 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1 of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws, specifically addressing enrollment and participation of home education students in classes, cocurricular activities, and career and technical education (CTE) programs. This amendment to the PA home education law mandated that all school districts must have policies allowing home educated students to participate in certain activities and programs on par with other enrolled students. These include cocurricular activities merging extracurricular activities with academic courses, CTE programs, and academic courses constituting up to 25% of the school day for full-time district students. To participate, a homeschooled student must meet eligibility criteria and comply with school district policies.
Additionally, Act 55 of the Pennsylvania homeschool laws. stipulates that credits earned through dual enrollment count toward mandatory course completion and graduation requirements in homeschool programs. Furthermore, the Pennsylvania homeschooling law allows school directors to adopt additional policies to facilitate the participation of homeschool students in various activities and programs, including prioritizing enrollment in courses or programs with limited availability.
Effective with the 2020-21 school year, a child must comply with compulsory attendance requirements from age six (6) to age eighteen (18). Specifically, a child who has attained the age of six (6) on or before September 1 must enroll and attend school or begin a home education program by first grade. A home education program must be documented and evaluated to account for all schooling during that time. Students may participate in a home education program as long as they are of school age.
Under Pennsylvania homeschooling laws, parents possess the legal entitlement to borrow copies of the planned courses, textbooks, and relevant curriculum materials of the school district suitable for their child’s age and grade level, all of which are provided at no cost. While this is an available option, there exists a multitude of alternative avenues for acquiring curriculum materials. If a homeschool parent opts for an online program that includes features like grading and evaluations, they remain obligated to furnish the local school district with an annual written evaluation of the home education program conducted by a qualified evaluator in accordance with the homeschool laws in Pennsylvania.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In Pennsylvania
To learn how to homeschool in Pennsylvania, it’s helpful to understand the specific regulations governing home schooling in Pennsylvania, ensuring compliance with all homeschooling Pennsylvania requirements under the Pennsylvania homeschooling law.
In Pennsylvania, there are several legal avenues available under the Pennsylvania homeschooling law for structuring your homeschool program. Choose the option that aligns best with your preferences and educational goals, then follow the corresponding steps provided below to begin homeschooling in accordance with Pennsylvania homeschool laws.
Option 1: Homeschooling Under the Homeschool Statute
Meet Teaching Qualifications: Ensure that you meet the necessary qualifications to teach in a homeschool setting. At minimum, you must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent under the Pennsylvania homeschooling law.
Submit a Notarized Affidavit or Unsworn Declaration: Before commencing your homeschool program for the first time and annually by August 1 thereafter, file a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration with the local superintendent’s office. Get the sample forms here. Your affidavit or unsworn declaration should include the following details:
Name of the home education program supervisor.
Name and age of the student.
Address and telephone number of the homeschooling site.
Confirmation that required subjects will be taught in English.
Proposed education objectives outlined by subject area.
Proof of child’s immunization per section 1303(a).
Evidence of necessary health and medical services per Article XIV.
Assurance of compliance with applicable Pennsylvania homeschool laws.
Certification confirming the absence of certain criminal convictions within the past five years for the supervisor, all adults residing in the home, and individuals with legal custody of the student.
Deliver Required Instruction and Cover Mandatory Subjects: Adhere to the prescribed guidelines for instructional time for the school year, which mandate 180 days or 900 hours of instruction for elementary school levels and 180 days or 990 hours for secondary levels. Ensure comprehensive coverage of the following mandatory subjects:
Secondary Grades (7th–12th grade) Required Courses
English, which must include the four subjects below:
Language
Literature
Speech
Composition
Mathematics, which must include the three subjects below:
General mathematics
Algebra
Geometry
Social studies, which must include the three subjects below:
Civics
History of the U.S. and Pennsylvania
World history
Health
Physical education
Music
Art
Geography
Science
Safety education, which must include regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires
Keep an Organized Portfolio, Including Mandatory Testing: Maintain a detailed portfolio containing the following documentation:
Keep a log that accurately records instructional activities, indicating the materials utilized and activities undertaken in real-time during the school year.
Include a variety of student work samples such as writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative projects completed by the student.
Ensure that your child undergoes standardized testing approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education or participates in state tests administered to public school students in grades 3, 5, and 8, as mandated by state regulations.
Arrange for Evaluation by a Qualified Evaluator and Submit Certification to the Superintendent by June 30:
Schedule an evaluation of your child by an evaluator completed by a licensed clinical or school psychologist as required by Pennsylvania homeschool laws. Ensure that the evaluator provides certification of the evaluation directly to the superintendent of the school district no later than June 30.
Procedure for Relocation Between School Districts in Pennsylvania: If you are relocating from one school district to another within Pennsylvania, follow these steps:
Contact the superintendent of your current school district registered mail at least 30 days before your planned relocation. Request a letter of transfer.
Upon receipt of your request, the current school district’s superintendent must issue the letter of transfer within thirty days in accordance with the Pennsylvania home education law.
After receiving the letter of transfer, submit it to the superintendent of the new school district of residence.
Option 2: Homeschooling with a private tutor
To homeschool your children using a private tutor, ensure the tutor holds certification from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to teach in public school. The tutor must educate one or more children from a single family, predominantly provide instruction, and receive compensation for their services.
The tutor is required to submit a copy of their Pennsylvania teaching certification and undergo a criminal history background check in accordance with the Pennsylvania home education law. These documents must be filed with the superintendent of the school district where the students reside. Additionally, the tutor must provide the names and addresses of the children under their instruction and inform the superintendent of any additional students subsequently enrolled. Furthermore, the tutor must promptly notify the district superintendent of any student absences exceeding three days without a valid excuse during the school year or if a student withdraws from the tutoring program before reaching 18 years of age.
To start homeschooling in Pennsylvania, parents must comply with the PA home education law, which outlines specific requirements for record-keeping and educational objectives. On another note, If your home has a bonus room you can convert it into a homeschool room, or many families repurpose one of their other rooms.
Maintaining Your Pennsylvania Homeschool
To maintain a homeschool in Pennsylvania:
Comply with Legal Requirements under PA Homeschool Laws: Ensure adherence to Pennsylvania’s home education law, including submitting required documents and fulfilling educational obligations.
Provide Instruction: Offer the required days/hours of instruction in a school year and teach the mandated subjects in accordance with the Pennsylvania home education law.
Keep Records: Maintain thorough records of educational activities, including attendance, coursework, and assessments.
Participate in Testing: Ensure students participate in required standardized testing in accordance with the home education law.
Submit Annual Evaluations: Arrange for a qualified evaluator to assess the child’s progress annually and submit the evaluation to the appropriate authorities in accordance with the PA home education law.
Stay Informed: Stay updated on any changes to the PA home education law and requirements issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Pennsylvania Homeschool Reporting Requirements
Each year by June 30th, homeschool parents must submit to the State Superintendent of Education a copy of the student’s portfolio of records and materials, along with the annual written evaluation of the portfolio by the qualified homeschool evaluator in accordance with the home education law.
The homeschool portfolio shall consist of a log, made contemporaneously with the instruction, that designates by title the reading materials used, samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the student and in grades three, five and eight results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics or the results of statewide tests in these grade levels.
The evaluator’s report must provide an opinion of whether an “appropriate education” is occurring based on the portfolio, in the professional judgment of the evaluator. An “appropriate education” is defined by the home education law as “a program consisting 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.”
The State Superintendent will notify the homeschool supervisor if the superintendent finds that “appropriate education” is not taking place and provide for a proper hearing by a hearing examiner. If the hearing examiner finds the evidence still does not indicate provision of an appropriate program, the student must be promptly enrolled in a public, nonpublic or other approved school.
Homeschool Testing In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania homeschool students outside of cyber charters are not currently required to take any standardized tests. Some homeschool parents choose to administer standardized tests informally to track progress, but there is no state requirement or oversight of testing. The only required evaluation is the annual homeschool portfolio review by an evaluator.
In grades 3, 5, and 8, it’s mandatory to have your child undergo testing with a nationally normed standardized test sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Education or the statewide tests administered to public school students. The test results in math and reading/language arts, or the outcomes of the statewide tests, must be incorporated into the annual portfolio. It’s important to note that a parent or guardian cannot serve as the test administrator.
The following tests have been approved:
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)
Funding Your Pennsylvania Homeschool
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania is primarily funded by the families who choose to homeschool their children. Homeschooling families typically bear the costs associated with homeschool curriculum materials, educational resources, extracurricular activities, and any specialized services or tutoring they may choose to utilize.
Unlike the traditional school district, homeschooling does not receive direct funding from the state or local government. Homeschooling parents are responsible for covering all expenses related to their child’s education. However, Pennsylvania does offer some resources and support services for homeschooling families, such as access to curriculum materials, standardized tests, and guidance on complying with state regulations.
Additionally, there are organizations and programs in Pennsylvania that may provide financial assistance or scholarships for homeschooling families, but these sources of funding are typically limited and may have specific eligibility criteria. Overall, homeschooling in Pennsylvania is primarily funded and managed by individual families who choose this educational option for their children.
Federal Tax Breaks
Homeschooling families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified education costs. Homeschool parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling. Finally, tax credits or deductions could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curricula used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Pennsylvania Immunization Requirements
All students, including those enrolled in home education programs, must comply with 24 P.S. § 13-1303(a) and Article XIV School Health Services. When entering a home education program for the first time, students must submit their immunization record (certificate of immunization) to the school nurse of the local district for review. Subsequently, proof of immunizations is required annually for all students, regardless of attending public, private, nonpublic, or homeschool.
Alternative Documentation: Instead of the standard certificate of immunization (green and white form) and medical certificate forms (red and white form), homeschool parents/legal guardians must furnish at least one of the following documents to meet the immunization record requirement:
Detailed immunization records showing dates of immunizations.
A letter from a physician or their designee confirming compliance with legal requirements or citing a medical exemption.
A letter expressing objections to immunizations based on religious or ethical grounds, akin to a religious exemption.
Homeschool parents must provide this information before commencing a home education program and by August 1 for subsequent years. Alongside, they must include the affidavit and other necessary documentation, such as a medical certificate (known as the red and white form), detailing any remaining doses of immunizations.
Exemptions to Immunizations: The only exemptions allowed under this regulation are medical exemptions (e.g., for children undergoing chemotherapy and scheduled for live virus immunization) or exemptions based on religious or strong philosophical beliefs, akin to religious convictions (See 28 Pa. Code § 23.84).
Pennsylvania State Graduation Requirements
Home Education Diplomas: Parents have the option to issue a state recognized diploma for students who graduated after the passage of Act 196 of 2014 on October 31, 2014, or to enroll their children in one of the high school diploma-granting organizations recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Both choices hold equal recognition by the state in accordance with legislative guidelines.
For students who completed their home education programs before the enactment of Act 196 of 2014, if they fulfilled the graduation requirements but did not affiliate with an authorized high school diploma-granting organization, the school district must provide certification to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) confirming compliance with home education laws to ensure eligibility for funding.
Transcripts: A home education program entails specific mandatory courses and standardized testing obligations for elementary grades (kindergarten or first grade – 6th grade) and secondary grade level (grades 7-12). Additionally, there are graduation requirements for home education. To ensure compliance with these prerequisites and to document homeschooling history, parents should maintain transcripts. State recognized diploma-granting organizations recognized by PDE also maintain transcripts for enrolled students to facilitate diploma issuance.
Homeschool Graduation Requirements: The following essential courses for grade level nine through twelve are mandated as prerequisites for graduation from a home education program.
Four years of English
Three years of mathematics
Three years of science
Three years of social studies
Two years of arts and humanities
Homeschool parents determine any additional coursework required for graduation beyond these minimums. The homeschool diploma is issued by the parent or supervisor of the homeschool program. It is not issued by the state, school district, or any other institution.
Pennsylvania Homeschool Charters
In addition to traditional parent-directed homeschooling, Pennsylvania allows families to enroll their children in state-funded cyber charter schools. These online public schools provide a complete curriculum, teachers, technology (computer, printer, internet subsidy), and other educational services free of charge. Students enrolled in a cyber charter school are considered public school students, not homeschoolers.
As public schools, cyber charters have their own requirements separate from the homeschool law, including mandatory state testing, attendance policies, and other regulations. However, they can be a good option for families looking for a more structured online program and educational support at no cost. Enrollment is open to any student residing in Pennsylvania. Most have enrollment periods in the spring and summer for the following school year, with some also accepting rolling enrollments. To enroll, students must be withdrawn from their previous school and complete the charter school’s enrollment process.
Local Pennsylvania Homeschooling Resources
While Pennsylvania doesn’t provide specific funding or resources for homeschoolers, homeschool families can take advantage of a number of state-wide and local organizations for information, support and enrichment opportunities for a homeschool community.
On the state level, the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) is a major non-profit organization providing support, events and resources for all Pennsylvania homeschoolers. Their website includes updated information on the homeschool law, an online store with discounted curriculum, a directory of evaluators, and their popular annual homeschool convention.
The Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency (PHAA) is another state-wide organization offering home educated students diploma programs, an extensive website of resources, online courses for high schoolers, and more.
For legal information and advocacy, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association includes detailed explanations of the homeschool law and help for member families facing any legal challenges.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Home Education and Private Tutoring page contains links to the official affidavit form, an FAQ on Pennsylvania homeschool laws, and policy updates.
On a local level, many areas of Pennsylvania have active homeschool co-ops, clubs, classes, field trips, and other enrichment opportunities. Check with statewide organizations like CHAP or a local homeschool group to find activities near you. Some school districts permit homeschoolers to take individual classes at the local public school, such as art, music or foreign language, even though they are not enrolled as full-time students. Other districts host classes or extracurricular activities specifically for homeschoolers. Policies vary, so check with your local school district to see what options are available.
Pennsylvania’s tuition-free cyber charter schools are another educational option available to all students in the state. Enrolling in a cyber charter does remove some of the flexibility of traditional homeschooling and subjects students to public school requirements, but can also provide structure and pacing, certified teachers, and a built-in peer group.
Hopefully this in-depth look at homeschooling in Pennsylvania has given you a solid understanding of the requirements and options available in the state. While homeschooling does require a commitment of time and effort from parents, Pennsylvania homeschool laws are generally considered to be moderately homeschool-friendly. With proper compliance and an enriching educational program, homeschooling can be a rewarding choice for families looking for an alternative to traditional schooling. All the best in your homeschool journey!
