Pennsylvania (PA) State - Homeschooling Laws and Regulations

Homeschooling is legal in every American state.  The Department of Education states, "Parents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have the option to home school their children" (Department of Education, NCES). School attendance is compulsory for all children; however, parents have the legal right to withdrawal their children from government schools to enroll them in qualified private schools or to educate their children at home.  This is only proper considering the fact that the duty and the right to educate the next generation were appointed by God to parents even before God created governments.

Each state has laws that govern matters such as how parents are to declare their intention to homeschool and what topics must be included in your home-education program.  Some states require periodic standardized tests and more formal records be maintained. One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the liberty of homeschooling parents to choose their own curriculum.  GETTING STARTED CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING, BUT MULTITUDES OF PARENTS ARE HOMESCHOOLING AND SO CAN YOU!  It is my pleasure to help your research efforts.  Below are links to key government and non-government pages.

Pennsylvania:  "A home education program is not considered a nonpublic school in Pennsylvania. The parent or guardian or such person having legal custody of the child or children, who has a high school diploma or its equivalent, is designated as the "supervisor" and is responsible for the provision of instruction. A notarized affidavit must be filed at the commencement of the home education program and each August 1 thereafter with the superintendent of the school district of residence. The affidavit must contain the name of the supervisor; the name and age of each child participating in the home education program; the address and telephone number of the home education site; a statement that such subjects as are required by law are offered in the English language, including an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area, evidence that each child has been immunized and received the health and medical services required for his or her age or grade, and a certification that the supervisor and all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child or children have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses related to children. 24Pa. Cons. Stat. § 13-1327.1 The supervisor of the home education program shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials, including a log of time spent, title of reading materials and samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or developed by the child and results of standardized tests in grades 3, 5, and 8 with an evaluation of the student's education progress by a licensed clinical or school psychologist or a certified teacher with two years experience or a nonpublic school teacher or administrator with two years experience in the last 10 and provide it to the superintendent annually by June 30 or as requested in writing. The school district of residence shall, at the request of the supervisor, lend to the home education program copies of the school district's planned courses, textbooks, and other curricular materials appropriate to the student's age and grade level. 24 PA. Cons. Stat. § 13-1327.1 A home education program for a child who has been identified under the Education of the Handicapped Act (now IDEA) as needing special education services (not gifted) must be a program which addresses the child's specific needs and written approval of the program be received from a certified special education teacher or licensed clinical or certified school psychologist and submitted by the supervisor with the affidavit prior to beginning the home education program and annually thereafter." (Source:  "State Regulation of Private Schools," Pennsylvania, by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education (2000).)

LINKS TO HELPFUL SITES

• General Laws and Regulations for school attendance, etc., including a home school. Look for 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1 Home Education Program: Laws and Regulations.
  
• Chapter 11. Student Attendance (Description of a School term, School day, etc.): http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter11/chap11toc.html
• Statutes: § 11.31a. Students not enrolled in public schools due to participation in a home education program. A brief section states that, "School district approval is not required to commence home education programs." (Source: http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter11/s11.31a.html)

Counties

Disclaimer:  Balancing the Sword makes no claims about the timeliness nor the completeness of the links or legal information posted.  These homeschooling laws and legal information are being provided free of charge.  Postings of rules and regulations are subject to change.  Seek the advice of other home-educating parents or homeschooling organizations in your area for more help or contact your county superintendent of schools.  Plan to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with your county superintendent or child's current principal.  (This document may also be known as an Affidavit of Intent, a Letter of Intent, a Notification of Intent, or a Declaration of Intent.  Sample from Tennessee.)   

• To Homeschooling Laws per State
• To Homeschooling Page
• To Homeschooling Organizations
• To National Homeschool Conventions List
• To Homeschooling Speakers and Workshop Leaders
• To Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
• Please email me if you find a broken link.

Homeschooling Conventions in Pennsylvania (PA)
Conferences, Expos, and Book Fairs

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