As many parents may look for education alternatives for their children, homeschooling is a viable option for families who are looking to guarantee their child a quality education without attending a public or private school. Homeschooling in Pennsylvania is becoming increasingly popular and this article will detail what parents will need to know help guide their children along their homeschooling journey.
Pennsylvania Homeschooling Requirements
In Pennsylvania, homeschooling is legal under the Home Education Law of 1988, which states that parents must provide a “substantially equivalent” education to what they would receive within public or private schools. This means parents are allowed to create a homeschool program that meets their child’s needs and interests and that offers instruction in core competencies in math, language arts, science, and social studies.
Furthermore, this law places the responsibility for creating, implementing, and evaluating the education of the child on the parent or guardian. In addition to the Home Education Law of 1988, parents looking to homeschool in the state of Pennsylvania must adhere to a few other rules. The first of which is that parents will need to present an affidavit to their local school district in which they declare that they are providing their children with a home education program.
In this affidavit, parents must include the name and age of the child being homeschooled, as well as the value of any services received from non-parent teachers. Some school districts require more information such as portfolios and progress reports; however, the affidavit is the official letter of declaration. Parents must also make sure that the children being homeschooled are up-to-date with immunizations, just as they would be if they were attending public school.
Keep in mind that exemptions from immunizations are available if children have religious or medical reasons for not taking them. Finally, parents must also keep attendance records for their child’s homeschooling program for a period of three years in the event of an audit by the state.
How to Create a Homeschool Program in Pennsylvania
When it comes to homeschooling, the options and possibilities really are endless. It is up to individual parents to create a homeschool program for their child and the best way to do this is to tailor the program to the child’s needs and interests. For example, some parents may decide to use a mix of formal curriculum, such as textbooks and workbooks, as well as independent studies and lessons taught by tutors.
Other parents may opt for an informal approach, such as road trips and field trips that foster learning. When creating a homeschool program, parents should think about the following elements in order to ensure the highest level of success and enjoyment for their students:
- The type of educational approach they would like to use
- The type of curriculum they will use
- The type of assessment and evaluation tools they will use
- How much structure and autonomy their child will have
- How often they will evaluate their child’s progress
- How and if they will partner with local schools or organizations
- What types of supportive services their child requires
It is important to start with a foundation and build upon it as the child grows and changes. Additionally, parents should research different curriculum options and find out what is available to them and how they can access these resources.
Finally, it is important to remember that parents can also draw upon their own experience and knowledge to create a curriculum full of interesting and engaging activities.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Homeschool
Deciding to homeschool a child is a big decision and it is important to take the necessary steps to make sure that parents and students are in the best position to make the most of this learning experience. To do this, it is important for parents to ask themselves the following questions:
- What are the real motivations behind my decision to homeschool my child?
- Am I aware of any laws or regulations that I must comply with when homeschooling my child in Pennsylvania?
- Do I have the necessary resources and support to take on the responsibility of homeschooling my child?
- Am I setting a good example for my child in terms of investing time, energy, and effort into their education?
- Do I have a good understanding of my child’s learning style and personality?
- Do I have the appropriate curriculum and materials to meet my child’s academic goals and interests?
- Do I have a good handle on how I will assess and evaluate my child’s progress?
- Do I understand the fees and costs associated with homeschooling?
- Do I understand the importance of providing a social and emotional learning environment for my child?
- Do I think I can juggle my other responsibilities in addition to homeschooling?
- Am I prepared to be my child’s teacher and learning buddy?
- Do I understand the importance of maintaining communication with my child’s teacher?
- How will I ensure that my child will still be able to socialize with other children?
- Do I have the proper support and guidance to ensure that my child receives a quality education?
Conclusion
Homeschooling a child in Pennsylvania is a great way for parents and children to have full control over their education and to have an educational experience that is tailored to their personal needs and interests. With the Home Education Law of 1988, parents are legally allowed to create and implement a homeschool program for their children and still ensure that they receive an education of equivalent standard to that of the public or private school system.
By following the above steps and guidelines, parents can become homeschooling pros in no time.