Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a homeschooler more than moving from a low regulation state to a high regulation state.
Pennsylvania has a reputation for being one of those high regulation states but hopefully, I can reassure you that compliance isn’t that complicated.
Compulsory attendance age
First, if your child hasn’t reached compulsory attendance age in Pennsylvania (6), you do not have to file anything until that happens.
Homeschool laws are state-specific. Regulations and laws in one state do not cross over to another. So, if you’re moving from a state where you had to report your homeschool activities for a child younger than 6, your child still isn’t subject to the compulsory attendance laws in Pennsylvania until his or her sixth birthday.
If your child is in grades 9-12, be sure to pay attention to the subject requirements for the secondary years, combined with the basic graduation requirements under the PA homeschool laws.
A qualified evaluator in Pennsylvania can sign a parent-issued diploma (available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website) if your child has met the instruction requirements for the current school year and the basic graduation requirements that must be met from 9th grade.
Be prepared to provide support for the graduation requirements in order to issue a diploma that has the same rights and privileges as any high school diploma.
What kind of paperwork?
If you’re moving from a state that required little or no reporting, filing any type of paperwork can seem intimidating.
Pennsylvania law requires a supervisor of a home education program to file an affidavit and a proposed list of objectives. If your child has been previously identified as having special needs, a qualified person must approve the home education program. I know it sounds like a lot but it really isn’t.
Who can homeschool a child in Pennsylvania?
Read this article to help you understand who can homeschool a child in Pennsylvania. (Basic qualifications of a supervisor)
Affidavit
Read this article to help you understand what information must be included in the affidavit (this document must be notarized) and how to “file” it with your new school district. This article will describe who’s qualified to approve a home education plan for a child with special needs.
Proposed list of objectives
This article will help you prepare a proposed list of objectives which should be attached to the affidavit (HINT: keep them simple and general).
You can download an affidavit and sample proposed list of objectives by entering your email here.
Stuff that’s required at the end of the school year (June 30)
You can read about how to prepare a log to include in a portfolio and all about evaluations (end of year requirements) by clicking the respective links.
I promise, you’ll get the hang of the paperwork and eventually you’ll get comfortable with the Pennsylvania homeschool law.
Welcome to PA!