Hey there, parents, guardians, and legal custodians! If you’re considering homeschooling in Pennsylvania, you are not alone. Whether you're exploring alternatives to traditional schooling or seeking a more personalized education, homeschooling can be a rewarding journey. Let's break down the essentials to get you started.

What is homeschooling?

Homeschooling or “home education programs” (as defined in Pennsylvania) are programs where the education of the student is directed not by the school but by the parent, guardian, or person who has legal custody of the child.[1]

Does Pennsylvania allow homeschooling?

In Pennsylvania, homeschooling is a right. If the documentation required by law and the school district of residence is submitted, then the school district's approval is not required (22 Pa. Code § 11.31a). (24 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1).[2]

However, there are restrictions when it comes to homeschooling. Restrictions include:

1. The supervisor of the home education program (parent, guardian, or legal custodian) must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. For example, completion of a high school equivalency test (like the GED® or HiSET®), thirty college credits from an accredited college, or an otherwise qualifying diploma.

2. All adults living in the home and persons having legal custody must not have been convicted of certain criminal offenses within the five years immediately before submitting an affidavit.[3] The offenses are itemized in 24 P.S. §1-111 (e).

Homeschooling is more highly regulated in Pennsylvania than in most of the country.[4] The timeline below provides a brief overview of important laws impacting homeschooling.[5]

How do you begin homeschooling?

To homeschool in Pennsylvania, you'll need to:

1. Submit an Affidavit or Unsworn Declaration:

a. Homeschooling begins when the home education supervisor (qualifying parent, guardian, or legal custodian) submits a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration to the superintendent’s office in the student’s school district of residence. The supervisor should be prepared to certify that the student resides in the district.

b. A new affidavit or unsworn declaration must then be submitted by August 1st each school year to continue homeschooling. (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(b)(1)).

c. Explore sample affidavits and unsworn declarations here.

2. Maintain a Portfolio: Throughout the year, the supervisor keeps a collection of records and materials that show a proper education is occurring. The portfolio must contain reading logs, work samples, and test scores. Each portfolio will be unique!

3. Yearly Evaluation: The law requires each homeschooled student to be interviewed, and their portfolio reviewed by a qualified home education evaluator every school year. This evaluation must state whether an appropriate education has occurred and document the student’s progress. Typically, the supervisor must submit the evaluator’s written evaluation to the superintendent of the student’s school district of residence by June 30 of each school year (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(e),(h.1)).

4. Transcripts: A homeschooling program has certain required courses, standardized testing requirements, and requirements to graduate. Transcripts should be kept by the supervisor to ensure all requirements are met.

What if my child has a disability or suspected disability?

When the affidavit is submitted for a student with a disability, it must have with it written approval that the needs of the student with a disability are addressed by the homeschool program. See 24 P.S. § 13-1327(d).

The home education supervisor has a choice of who will assure the program addresses the child’s needs, and may be any of the following:

1. A teacher with a valid PA certificate to teach special education,

2. A licensed clinical psychologist, or

3. A certified school psychologist.

(The law does not require that the certification be active, only that it exists.)

If you believe your child has a disability and needs special education services (but has not been evaluated) the school district of residence is required to evaluate the child (at no cost) when such a request is made in writing. The district must explain the results of the evaluation. If the district fails to provide this service when requested, the supervisor can contact the PDE Special Education ConsultLine at 1-800-879-2301.

Providing special education services is a local decision and must be agreed to by both the supervisor and the school district or intermediate unit of residence. All services must be requested by the supervisor and be provided in public or licensed private schools (not your home). (24 P.S. § 13-1327(d)). School districts and intermediate units are not required to provide special education services but may at their discretion.[6]

Do homeschoolers get a diploma?

Families may choose supervisor-issued diplomas or enroll their child in one of the diploma-granting organizations recognized by PDE. Both options are equally recognized.

The following courses in grades nine through twelve are required to graduate from a homeschool program: (1) four years of English; (2) three years of mathematics; (3) three years of science; (4) three years of social studies; and (5) two years of arts and humanities.[7]

When can a child be homeschooled?

Compulsory school attendance – and so the option to homeschool – generally begins when a child turns six by September 1st and ends when the child turns eighteen (or graduation if sooner).[8] Although kindergarten is not required in Pennsylvania, an affidavit and written evaluation may be submitted to document the student’s progress, especially if the student might be enrolled in school in the future.

Is private tutoring the same as homeschooling?

Private tutoring is not the same as homeschooling but is another option to satisfy compulsory school attendance requirements. A parent or guardian may act as a private tutor for their own child if they are a PA-certified teacher. Background checks and other regulations apply.[9]

Parents may want to compare the differences between homeschooling and private tutoring to see which best matches the way they would like their child to be educated. There are many similarities but there also are differences. The chart below provides a brief overview of the structural differences.[10]

One strategy for parents is to have their child privately tutored through eleventh grade and then switch to homeschooling in twelfth grade so that the student can obtain a state-recognized high school diploma. If following this strategy, the parent will need to ensure that the private tutor structures the student’s education to meet all requirements.[11]

How many students are homeschooled in PA?

For the 2023-2024 school year, PDE reports that 42,615 students ages five to twenty-one received a home education (with the largest number of homeschoolers in Lancaster County).[12] Out of the about 1.9 million school-aged students in Pennsylvania, that equates to about two percent of the total school-aged population.[13],[14]

Final Thoughts

Embarking on the homeschooling journey in Pennsylvania requires careful planning and adherence to state regulations. However, it also offers the flexibility to tailor education to your child's unique needs and interests. Remember, you're not alone—numerous resources and communities are available to support you every step of the way.

For more detailed information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide. If you have further questions or want to know more about the legal requirements for homeschooling in Pennsylvania, please reach out to our attorneys or advocate at Abdnour Weiker, LLP.

Happy homeschooling!

[1] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 12 of pdf)

[2] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 12 of pdf)

[3] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 12 of pdf)

[4] https://hslda.org/legal

[5] https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/instruction/elementary-and-secondary-education/home-education-and-private-tutoring.html

[6] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 46 of pdf)

[7] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 40 pf pdf)

[8] https://hslda.org/post/compulsory-school-age-in-pennsylvania

[9] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 21 of pdf)

[10] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 21 of pdf)

[11] https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/education/documents/instruction/home-education-and-private-tutoring/home%20education%20and%20private%20tutoring%20guide.pdf (page 22 of pdf)