Pennsylvania Homeschool Requirements

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 (Pennsylvania's Home Education Program statute), parents must submit a notarized affidavit to the superintendent of the school district in which they reside. This affidavit must be filed annually by August 1 for a new school year, or within 30 days of establishing the home education program during the school year. The affidavit must include: (1) the parent's name and address, (2) the name and age of each child to be educated at home, (3) the address at which home education will occur, (4) a statement that the parent has a high school diploma or equivalent (or higher), (5) a list of the subjects to be taught, and (6) a statement that the parent is aware of and will comply with all requirements. Unlike Oregon and Ohio, Pennsylvania's notification is more of an affidavit of compliance than a simple filing.

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1, Pennsylvania's home education law specifies required subjects by grade level. For grades K-6: English (reading, writing, spelling, grammar), mathematics, science, geography, health and physiology, civics, safety education, history of Pennsylvania and the United States, and the Holocaust and genocide. For grades 7-12: English (literature, composition, speech), science, geography, social studies (civics, world history, history of Pennsylvania and the U.S.), mathematics (algebra, geometry), art, music, physical education, health, and the Holocaust and genocide. Additionally, students must receive instruction in flag salute and special days as required. The Holocaust and genocide education requirement was added by the Holocaust Education Act.

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1, Pennsylvania requires home education programs to provide instruction equivalent to 180 school days per year, which translates to a minimum of 900 hours of instruction for grades K-6 and 990 hours for grades 7-12. This mirrors the public school requirement under Pennsylvania law. The 180-day/900-hour requirement is among the most specific instructional time requirements in the nation for home educators. Parents must document compliance with the instructional time requirement as part of their recordkeeping obligations. The portfolio submitted at the end of the year must reflect instruction delivered over the full school year.

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1, Pennsylvania home-educated students must undergo a comprehensive annual assessment process. Each year, parents must compile a portfolio of the student's work and have it reviewed by a 'licensed clinical psychologist or a teacher certificated in Pennsylvania.' The evaluator must certify that the student is receiving appropriate education. In addition to the annual portfolio review, students must take a standardized test approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in grades 3, 5, and 8. The test must be administered by a qualified neutral party. Results must be submitted to the superintendent as part of the end-of-year evaluation. If the evaluation reveals inadequate academic progress, the superintendent may require corrective action. The dual requirement of portfolio review AND standardized testing makes Pennsylvania's assessment regime the most demanding of the four states reviewed.

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1, Pennsylvania home-educating parents must maintain and compile annually a portfolio that includes: (1) a log showing the dates of instruction and the content of instruction in each required subject, (2) samples of the student's work from each required subject area, (3) standardized test results (in applicable years), and (4) the certified evaluator's written attestation of satisfactory progress. The portfolio and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the superintendent by June 30 each year. Records must be retained by the parent for at least three years. The superintendent may review the portfolio and other records to determine compliance. Failure to submit the required portfolio or maintain adequate records can result in enrollment of the child in public school.

Under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1, the 'supervisor' of a home education program must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent (such as a GED). This is affirmed in the annual notarized affidavit. Parents who do not hold a high school diploma may not legally supervise a home education program in Pennsylvania. However, other adults (such as a spouse with a diploma) may serve as the supervisor. No teaching license or college degree is required. The parent who serves as supervisor need not personally teach all subjects; they may hire tutors or use outside resources, but they remain responsible for the overall program. This qualification requirement is consistent with Ohio but less demanding than teaching-certificate states.

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements are set forth in 28 Pa. Code §23.84 and require children enrolled in public or private schools to be immunized against certain diseases. However, 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 does not include immunization as a required component of the home education affidavit or portfolio. Home-educated children are not enrolled in school and therefore the school immunization mandate does not technically apply to them. Pennsylvania does allow religious and medical exemptions to immunization for school children. Some Pennsylvania school districts have attempted to require immunization records from home educators, but the law does not support this requirement. Parents should be aware that if their child later enrolls in a public school, immunization requirements would then apply.

Pennsylvania has a specific provision in 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 for students with disabilities who are home educated. Students with an active IEP (Individualized Education Program) may participate in the home education program and may access certain services from the school district. The district must provide evaluations and, upon parental request, develop an Individualized Home Education Program (IHEP). Under federal IDEA and Pennsylvania implementing regulations at 22 Pa. Code §14, school districts have child find obligations for home-educated children with disabilities. Parents may also access related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through the district. Pennsylvania has a relatively structured approach to supporting home-educated students with special needs compared to the other states reviewed.

When a Pennsylvania parent decides to withdraw their child from public school to begin a home education program, they must submit the notarized affidavit required by 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 to the superintendent. This affidavit formally notifies the district of the home education program and constitutes the withdrawal mechanism. Mid-year withdrawals require submission within 30 days of beginning home education. Upon receipt of the affidavit, the district must acknowledge the home education program. Re-enrollment in public school requires the parent to withdraw from the home education program (no formal notification required) and follow standard district enrollment procedures. The district may review the student's portfolio and home education records to determine appropriate grade placement. Districts may not require the student to repeat a grade solely because of prior home education.

Pennsylvania's compulsory attendance law under 24 P.S. §13-1326 requires all children between 8 and 17 years of age to attend school. However, under 24 P.S. §13-1327, children who have enrolled in first grade at age 6 are also subject to the compulsory attendance law from that point forward. This creates a somewhat complex situation where a child who enrolled early becomes subject to attendance requirements earlier than the standard age 8. Home education under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 satisfies the compulsory attendance requirement for children of compulsory school age. Children under 8 (or under 6 if enrolled) and children who have turned 17 are not subject to compulsory attendance. This age range (8-17) is narrower than most states.

Pennsylvania public school graduation requirements are set by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education under 22 Pa. Code §4.24, which requires public school students to complete 21 credits across specified subject areas and pass the Keystone Exams or alternative assessments. These requirements do not apply to home-educated students. Parents may issue a private homeschool diploma and prepare a transcript documenting the student's home education. The portfolio maintained under 24 P.S. §13-1327.1 can serve as evidence of academic accomplishment for college admissions. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions and private colleges each establish their own admissions requirements for home-educated applicants. Students may also take the GED to obtain a state-recognized credential. The Keystone Exams are not required of home-educated students.

Pennsylvania enacted 24 P.S. §5-502.1, which requires school districts to allow home-educated students to participate in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic sports, at the district in which they reside. To participate, home-educated students must: (1) meet the same academic eligibility requirements as public school students, (2) comply with the same standards of conduct and codes of ethics, (3) demonstrate their academic eligibility through the home education evaluation process, and (4) try out for teams and activities just as public school students do. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) governs interscholastic athletics and has developed eligibility rules for home-educated participants. Home-educated students may also participate in band, choir, drama, and other non-athletic extracurricular activities.