Homeschooling Basics

This is often the reaction we get from well-meaning relatives and friends when we declare we have decided to homeschool our kids.  It can be overwhelming if you don't even know where to begin.  Rest assured, you CAN do it.  You just need to know the basics to get started.  The best place to start is in understanding the PA homeschool law.

It helps to know a few terms and phrases in the beginning.  Here are a few you need to know:

supervisor - That's YOU, the homeschooling parent/guardian who files the notarized affidavit. 

evaluator - That's the person (like me) who meets the PA requirements to evaluate your child(ren) each year.

log - This is a record of what you did during the year and should include a list by title of reading materials used.  This can be a notebook, planner, daytimer, etc.  It just shows that you are planning/keeping up with things.

appropriate education -The law says this means "a program consisting of instruction in the required subjects for the time required...in which the student demonstrates sustained progress in the overall program."

portfolio - That's the collection of work and materials you show the evaluator.  It should include the log, samples (writings, worksheets, workbooks, or any creative materials used or developed by the student), and (for grades 3, 5, and 8) results of achievement tests.

superintendent - That's the local school district authority to whom the evaluator's report should be submitted by the supervisor by June 30.

time required - According to the law, elementary students must have a minimum of 180 days or 900 hours of instruction.  Secondary students must have 180 or 990 hours of instruction.

Do you have a high school diploma or an equivalent (GED)?  Are you the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child?  According to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education's website, these are the qualifications for being a Supervisor of a Home Education Program.  That's it!

Once you have made the decision, here is a list of what you need to submit to your local school district:

-Submit a notarized affidavit  or an unsworn declaration before starting and annually between July 1 and August 1.  You can find a few forms for affidavits on the forms page, if you need one.  Several places offer notary public services, and some for free.

- You need to include an outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area.  This does not have to be overly detailed.  I have included at least one sample in my forms section.

- You need to include evidence of immunization or documentation of exemption (i.e. religious reasons).  

- You need to include evidence (documentation) that your chlld(ren) has/have received medical services required for age/grade level or provide documentation of religious exemption.

*When providing evidence of the last two, it can be as simple as a form or letter from your child's doctor.  I have a sample on the forms page.