American Home Schools
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American Home Schools |
Pennsylvania, through it's Homeschooling Act 169-1988, specifies that parents must submit a notarized affidavit of their intent to homeschool. Along with this affidavit, they must also submit medical forms and a list of learning objectives covering the required academic subjects. School officials do not have discretionary authority to approve or disapprove a family's homeschooling plans or practice. They only have authority to rule on the narrow question of whether or not the parents have submitted the paperwork required by the law. Parents must maintain a log of instruction (e.g., list of materials read) and daily attendance records, must have at least a high school education, and must arrange each year for an annual evaluation of the child's progress by a certified teacher or licensed psychologist of their own choosing. At the end of the school year, parents must submit the professional's written evaluation that their child has received an appropriate education along with a portfolio of the child's work for the school district's review. In grades 3, 5, and 8, the homeschooled child must take a standardized test, administered by anyone other than the parent of the child. Parents also have a second option for homeschooling: the private tutor provision. In this provision, the tutor must be a certified teacher. Parents need only submit evidence of the tutor's credentials and criminal record clearance.
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Summary:
In Pennsylvania, compulsory education begins at age 8, at which time students are to be registered with their local school district. For homeschoolers, an affidavit is filed regarding the qualifications of the teacher (only a high school education is required) and the intent to homeschool.
At the end of each homeschool year, an approved evaluator (a clinical or school psychologist or PA-certified teacher) must evaluate the child for sustained progress, essentially reviewing a portfolio of work, interviewing the child, and in grades 3, 5, and 8 reviewing standardized testing. A copy of the evaluation, stating whether or not progress has been noted, and the portfolio are then sent to the district superintendent for review.