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 to the school district in accordance with Section 1327.1(b)(1) and 1327(d).

The affidavit 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 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 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.

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 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.

The end-of-year evaluation must be submitted by June 30 each year. The evaluation requirement has been waived for the 2019-2020 school 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 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), please contact the administrative assistant for the grade level or school building where your child previously attended so that they can be disenrolled.

How to submit documents

Documents may be mailed to the following address:

Oakmont Administration Building
Curriculum/Homeschool
50 East Eagle Road
Havertown, PA 19083

Once the documents are reviewed and approved, a letter of acknowledgment will be sent to the supervisor.

Resources

Additional information may be found using the following links.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Home Education and Private Tutoring
Links to sample affidavits, diploma information, and other resources, including the Pennsylvania Department of Education Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide, which is an excellent source of information for home education in Pennsylvania.

Education Law Center Homeschool Fact Sheet
Answers to frequently asked questions.

PA Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency
Information on how to find a qualified evaluator of a homeschool program.