How To Homeschool In PA? Guide For Parents In Pennsylvania

Homeschooling is an educational option that allows students to receive their education from home, with parental guidance.

What is homeschooling and why should I do it

There are many reasons why parents might choose to homeschool their children.

Some of the most common reasons include;

• Dissatisfaction with the public or private school system.

• A desire to provide religious or moral instruction in addition to academic instruction.

• The belief is that homeschooling will give their children an edge in college admissions or future employment opportunities.

How to register your home school with the state of Pennsylvania

Homeschooling in Pennsylvania can be a great option for parents who want to have more control over their children’s education.

However, there are some things that you need to know before you start homeschooling in PA.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of homeschooling in Pennsylvania and provide you with some tips on how to get started.

The first thing is to decide what type of homeschooling you should do.

There are 4 different types of homeschooling in PA, each with its own regulations and requirements. However, the standard requirements are listed below.

BUT… first, you need to be aware that if your child is already at a traditional school a Notice of Withdrawal will need to be filed. Send this“Certified Mail—Return Receipt Requested” to the principal of the public school your child is currently attending, keeping a copy of the letter for your records.

Then the homeschool Affidavit will need to be filed also. Fill out this affidavit, get it notarized, and mail it as Certified Mail/Return Receipt Requested to the superintendent of your school district. This affidavit form is appropriate for both elementary (K—6th grade) and secondary (7th—12th grade) students.

The most common option for homeschooling

The simplest and most common form is to either homeschool your child yourself as the parent/guardian or work with a tutor, to educate your child at home instead of sending them to school.

There are some rules that will need to be adhered to for most of the homeschool options including:

• The tutor or parent will have to have a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate, and their teaching experience will have to be verified by the local superintendent.

If you wish, you can also contract certified teachers who got laid off due to downsizing or early retirement.

• Before you start homeschooling in PA, you need to register your child either as a homeschooler or as an alternative school student and file a notarized affidavit. Details must include:

The name of the parent/supervisor, name and age of the child, address, and telephone number
Assurance that subjects are taught in English
Outline of proposed education objectives by subject area
Evidence of immunization*
Evidence of health and medical services required by law
Certification that the home education program will comply with 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1
A certification that the supervisor, all adults living within the home, and persons having legal custody of the children have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses within the past five years.

• You must teach 180 days or 900 hours at the elementary school level and 180 days or 990 hours at the secondary level.
• The following courses must be taught: Math, English (spelling, reading, writing) Science, Geography, Art, Music, History, Safety Instruction ( fires) Health and Physical education.
• Provide a documented portfolio of work samples, reading literature, workbooks, and worksheets
• Standardized testing by Authorities for students in grades 3,5,8.
• Yearly Evaluation including a personal interview with the student.

You can find more information on the requirements and the process of homeschooling in PA on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.

There are several websites with information on Pennsylvania curriculums, textbooks, and standards of education. You should also check out what other homeschoolers in your area are using – many home educators join local support groups and share resources.

If you need help with homeschooling in PA, feel free to check out our directory of accredited private schools that offer assistance with homeschooled students.

Tips for Choosing to Homeschool in PA

If you’re a parent considering homeschooling your kids, you may be wondering where to start. Here are some tips to help get you started:

1. Do your research.

There are many different approaches to homeschooling, and you’ll want to find one that fits your family’s needs and learning style. Search for websites and blogs that offer practical advice and referrals to different support groups and for educational supplies and resources. Free printables are an amazing and helpful resource too.

2. Get organized.

You’ll need a plan for each day, week, or month – Create a schedule for lessons, free time, chores, and work. You will need to do this for both yourself and your child(ren)

3. Be flexible.

Things will come up, so be prepared to change your plans as needed. That’s the great perk about homeschooling that you can mix things up and have plans change suddenly that you will need to adapt to. You have 7 days in a week to get things done. This is not a general 9-3 pm school day or workday.

4. Make time for yourself.

You can’t homeschool effectively if you’re constantly stressed out!… If you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed go and do something that makes you feel happy. Have a cup of tea, walk in the garden, go for a swim, and take a shower.

Remember that you also need to reward yourself regularly for small achievements. You are doing a great job taking on this huge responsibility of homeschooling your child.

5. Let your kids help out.

They’ll learn more that way. Make learning so much fun the kids won’t even realize they are learning. Teach them life skills, not just academic skills.

Have the kids set up the books and materials for the lessons, perhaps outside in the garden rather than inside. Turn cooking into a maths class. Have them bake a cake and learn about measurements, make a pizza and teach fractions.

You can even have your child select books on topics that are of most interest to them.

Last but not least

Homeschooling in PA is an option that is a very popular way to educate your child/kids. You just need t to ensure that you comply with all the rules and regulations. You still have plenty of freedom with curriculum choices and what your homeschooling day or week looks like in your family.

Every family and household is different just as every child is different and every learning style is different. Just do what feel is right for you and your child.

Happy Homeschooling

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