Here’s where you’ll find an organized list of topics on this site to help you find quick answers to your questions about the PA homeschool law.
1. Minimum Qualifications to Homeschool
If you are not a PA certified teacher:
Qualifications if you earned a PA teaching certificate:
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania Under the “Private Tutor” Option
2. Compulsory Attendance Age
3 Reasons Not to File an Affidavit Before You’re Required to
3. Initial Paperwork
Please understand that you do not register or apply for homeschooling. If you meet the basic qualifications under the law, you have a right to educate a child at home. A notarized affidavit and a proposed list of objectives is the only “forms” you are required to submit. If you are a PA certified teacher, please see the article above related to proceeding under the private tutor option.
AffidavitsÂ
Each of these posts about affidavits has the same information. Two link to videos.
The Seven Requirements of an Affidavit Under PA Homeschool Law
Proposed List of Objectives
4. Health Services Requirements
If you file under the private tutor option, you do not have to provide evidence of health services requirements. If you file an affidavit, it should include a statement that the health services requirements have been met or an exemption is maintained. The statements in the affidavit are “sufficient evidence” according to the language of the PA homeschool law. Thus, the supervisor is assuming legal responsibility, under penalty of perjury, that the statements in the affidavit are accurate.
5. Portfolio
If you filed an affidavit and proposed list of objectives, you should prepare a portfolio. The portfolio consists of a log, samples of work and results from standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 8. An evaluator reviews the portfolio to verify that “an appropriate education is occurring”. A portfolio (or any of its elements) is not required if you proceed under the private tutor option.
Log
A log is simply a list of titles of reading materials recorded “contemporaneously” with instruction.
Samples of work
Standarized testing requirement
6. The evaluation
This is the last formal step in the home education year cycle. This step is not required if you proceed under the private tutor option. Here are some helpful articles.
This article offers some tips on how to choose an evaluator who is not only qualified but will be a good fit for your family.