Homeschool Education
Requirements
Section 1327.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code provides for a home education program designed to permit a parent, guardian, or legal custodian ("supervisor") who has a high school diploma or its equivalent to conduct a home education program for his or her child or children. Compulsory school age for children is between the ages of 6 and 18.
Before beginning a home education program
Prior to the commencement of a home education program and annually thereafter between July 1 and August 1, the supervisor must submit a notarized affidavit (or unsworn declaration) to the school district in accordance with Section 1327.1(b)(1) and 1327(d).
- The affidavit/unsworn declaration must contain the supervisor’s name, the name and age of each participating child, and the address and phone number of the home education program site.
- The affidavit/unsworn declaration must also state that the required subjects will be taught in the English language and must contain an outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area.
- The affidavit/unsworn declaration must contain an assurance that the home education program will comply with the law and a certification that the supervisor, all adults living in the home, and persons having legal custody of the student have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses within five years immediately preceding the date of the affidavit/unsworn declaration.
In addition, the following should be submitted:
- evidence (records or a letter from the physician) that the child or children have been immunized as required by School Code Sec. 1303(a) unless a physician certifies the child has a medical contraindication to immunization, and
- evidence (records or a letter from the physician) that the child or children have received medical services required for students of the child’s or children’s age or grade level in Article XIV, or religious exemption for these two requirements.
During the school year
A homeschool supervisor is required to maintain a portfolio of records and materials as a record of a student's progress and achievement. Results of a nationally normed standardized achievement test (or the PA statewide test) should be included in the portfolio. This is currently required for students in grades 3, 5, and 8.
Should the student ever enroll in public school, the school district has the right to place the student in the grade level and courses that the school district deems appropriate. The portfolio could be shown as evidence of the student's progress which could be helpful in placement decisions.
At the end of the school year
After each school year, an evaluation of a home education program by a qualified evaluator is the required proof that an appropriate education has taken place. The evaluation of the student's educational progress has the following requirements:
- it must be annual and written
- it must be based on an interview of the child and a review of the portfolio and accompanying documentation
- it must certify whether an appropriate education is occurring (24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(e)(2))
The evaluation should be submitted to the school district by June 30.
Procedures
Current Homeschool Families
Each school year, the supervisor of the home education program should submit the required affidavit and other documents to the school district by August 1. The affidavit must be notarized. As an alternative, an unsworn declarations may also be used by a home school supervisor. They are similar to the affidavits; however, unsworn declarations do not need to be notarized but instead are governed under perjury statutes. Example affidavits and unsworn declarations are available in Microsoft Word form on the Home Education and Private Tutoring page of the PA Department of Education website. See the resources tab for additional helpful links.
The end-of-year evaluation must be submitted by June 30 each year.
New Homeschool Families
In the first year a student is homeschooled, the home education program may begin at any time, as soon as an affidavit/unsworn declaration and supporting documentation is submitted. In subsequent years, the required documentation must be submitted by August 1.
If your child was previously enrolled in the School District of Haverford Township and will now be exclusively homeschooled (not taking any classes in the district), your child will be disenrolled once the documentation is received at the administration building.
Your child will need to be re-registered if they return to the district in the future.
How to submit documents
Documents may be dropped off or mailed to the following address. Do not send the documents to the school building.
School District of Haverford Township
Oakmont Administration Building
Attn: Homeschool
50 East Eagle Road
Havertown, PA 19083
Once the affidavit/unsworn declaration and supporting documents are reviewed and approved, a letter of acknowledgment will be sent to the supervisor. The review process can take a few weeks during busy times of the year. You may begin your home education program after the documents are submitted. We will contact you if the documentation is incomplete.
Resources
Additional information may be found using the following links.
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Home Education and Private Tutoring
Links to sample affidavits/unsworn declarations and diploma information
PDE Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide
Information about home education in Pennsylvania, including the following:
- Educational options in PA
- Details about home education programs in PA, including which documents are required and timelines to submit
- Home education evaluators
- Diploma options
FAQ
Q: At what age may a child be homeschooled?
Compulsory school age is from age 6 up to age 18, or graduation, whichever occurs first. This is a change that took effect for the 2020-21 school year.
Q: When may a homeschool program begin?
A: The initial affidavit may be submitted any time during the school year, but all subsequent affidavits are due by August 1. The notarized affidavit and accompanying attachments must be submitted to the superintendent's office in the student’s district of residence for a home education program to begin. Without this documentation, a home education program does not legally exist.
Q: How much instruction time is required for a home education program?
A: The home education program must provide a minimum of either 180 days of instruction or 900 hours of instruction per year at the elementary level (grades kindergarten to 6) or 990 hours per year at the secondary level (grades 7-12). A log of instruction time should be kept with the portfolio.
Q: What kind of materials should be kept in the student's homeschool portfolio?
A: The portfolio documents that the compulsory attendance laws have been observed and that the student has made sustained progress in the overall home education program. The portfolio should contain samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student and a log which designates by title the reading materials used.
One simple suggestion for maintaining the portfolio is to use a big three-ring binder, inserting dividers for (1) the log, (2) the results of the standardized test (for grades three, five and eight), (3) the evaluation, and (4) sample work products for all subjects taught. There are many other options.
Q: Which curriculum does the school district use?
A: The curriculum used at each grade level and for each subject is described in the curriculum guides.
Q: Are curriculum materials available to borrow?
A: Yes, available books may be borrowed from the school district. Please contact Jill Vandevere at jvandevere@haverfordsd.net to request materials.
Q: Can a homeschool program start in the middle of the school year?
A: Yes, you may begin a homeschool program mid-year. Your child will be disenrolled from the district, and devices such as Chromebooks and tablets must be returned. If they return to the school district in the future, they will need to be registered again. If your child will be homeschooled again in the following school year(s), an affidavit and supporting documentation must be submitted by August 1 and annually thereafter.
Q: My child has an IEP. How does homeschooling affect it?
A: Please contact Pupil Services regarding questions about your child's IEP.
Q: What are the school district policies regarding homeschooling?
A: District policy 137 and policy 137-AR cover home education.
Q: Can my child still participate in extracurricular activities while being homeschooled?
A: Yes. Please review policy 137-AR for details, and contact your child’s school for more information.
Q: What kind of diploma is available for homeschooled children in Pennsylvania?
A: The Diplomas page of the PA Department of Education website has information about diploma options for homeschooled children.