Are you thinking about homeschooling your child in Pennsylvania? If so, you’ll want to make sure that your child has the knowledge they need to succeed.
To help you get started, here are 15 questions and answers to help you learn more about preparing your child for homeschooling in Pennsylvania.
1. What Are the Requirements for Homeschooling in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires homeschoolers to keep attendance records, maintain organized transcripts and portfolio assessments for each student, and complete evaluations. Parents of homeschooling students must also make sure that the home education program is equivalent in content, quality, and instruction of that provided in public schools.
Attendance Records:
Parents need to keep attendance records of the days their kids spend in their homeschooling programs, just like they would at school. It doesn’t have to be anything too complicated – recording the hours spent on different subjects is recommended to keep track of a student’s progress.
Portfolio Assessment:
A portfolio assessment is a compilation of work samples, test scores, and other important documents that demonstrate a student’s progress and educational accomplishments. The complete portfolio should also be available to the state during the annual evaluation process.
Evaluations:
Each year, the state of Pennsylvania requires that homeschooling parents submit their students for an annual evaluation or assessment. The evaluation must be performed by a certified teacher or psychologist and can be done through a standardized test, an in-classroom evaluation, or a portfolio assessment.
2. What Is the Curriculum for Pennsylvania Homeschooling?
The curriculum for Pennsylvania homeschooling is largely left up to the parent. Most families choose to use an online curriculum or a homeschooling curriculum guide to help them structure their day and instill educational goals. Homeschoolers can also use subjects like science, social studies, music, and the arts to supplement their core educational needs.
Online Curriculum:
For those who choose to homeschool their kids, this is the most popular route. Online curriculums such as K12 and Time4Learning provide comprehensive curriculums built around core academic subjects and can be tailored to specific age groups and abilities.
Many of these online curriculums also offer assessments and tracking, making them easy to manage and follow.
Curriculum Guide:
A curriculum guide is a helpful tool for homeschoolers looking to develop their own educational plans and goals. These guides provide parents with information from schools around the country and help them create a personalized plan for their child.
Supplemental Programs:
In addition to their core courses, parents can supplement their children’s learning with art, music, and other related subjects. These can range from online classes to one-on-one instruction and can be used to supplement a child’s education and help them to further their educational goals.
3. What Are the Social and Communication Opportunities for Homeschooled Students?
Most homeschoolers feel that it is important to build relationships outside of the home. To do this, many parents look into joining or forming homeschooling co-ops or attending homeschooling field trips and other events.
Homeschool Co-ops:
Homeschool co-ops are groups of homeschoolers who come together for educational and social opportunities. These can be informal groups, or more formal groups with structured classes and activities.
For homeschoolers, getting together in groups like these can be a great way to develop relationships and explore social and communication activities.
Field Trips:
Homeschoolers are often able to take advantage of field trips and other educational opportunities that may be beyond the scope of traditional schools. Many times, these field trips can be taken with other homeschooling families, providing an excellent opportunity for socialization and learning.
Organized Events:
Organized events are another great way for homeschoolers to build relationships, especially if they plan activities to participate in together. Homeschoolers may also be able to participate in organized competitions, such as spelling bees or MathCounts, or take part in organized sports teams.
4. How Do I Prepare for Homeschool Testing?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires homeschoolers to complete an annual evaluation for each student. To make sure that students are prepared for their annual assessments, parents should make sure that their students are familiar with the material, the testing process, and any potential pitfalls.
Understand the Material:
To prepare for homeschool testing, it’s important to make sure that your student understands the material they will be tested on. Taking practice tests or working through sample problems can help your student become more familiar with the material and work out any deficiencies in advance.
Become Familiar with the Testing Process:
In addition to understanding the material, it is also important to become familiar with the testing process. Understanding the types of questions, the length and format of the test, and any breaks that may be offered can help your student be more comfortable with the process.
Recognize Pitfalls:
Finally, it is important to recognize any potential pitfalls or mistakes that your student may make during testing. This can include getting confused by questions, taking too much time on a particular problem, or not understanding a point of the material.
By being aware of potential mistakes in advance, you can help your student avoid them.
5. What Resources Are Available for Homeschooling in Pennsylvania?
Homeschooling in Pennsylvania is made easier by the availability of a variety of resources. These can include homeschooling co-ops, field trips, online educational materials, and more.
Homeschool Co-Ops:
As mentioned before, homeschoolers in Pennsylvania can join homeschooling co-ops that provide not only educational opportunities, but also social and communication opportunities. These can be an invaluable resource for homeschoolers and help build relationships between families.
Field Trips:
Homeschoolers can also take advantage of field trips and other educational opportunities beyond the scope of traditional schools. Many times, these field trips can be taken with other homeschooling families, providing an excellent opportunity for socialization and learning.
Online Educational Materials:
For those looking for an online-based curriculum, there is no shortage of options in Pennsylvania. Popular programs such as K12, Time4Learning, and Khan Academy offer comprehensive curriculums built around core academic subjects, and can be tailored to different age groups and abilities.
6. What Should I Know About Evaluating My Child for Homeschooling in Pennsylvania?
Once a year, homeschoolers in Pennsylvania need to submit their students for assessment or evaluation. This is done to make sure that homeschooled students are receiving an education that is equivalent in quality, content, and instruction of that provided by public schools.
To make sure that your student is being evaluated thoroughly and accurately, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Certified Teacher or Psychologist:
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all evaluations be performed by a certified teacher or psychologist. To make sure that your child is evaluated by a qualified professional, you may want to consider getting in touch with your local school district and requesting a list of recommended assessors.
Types of Evaluations:
The type of evaluation that you choose will depend on your student’s needs and abilities. Evaluations can range from standardized tests to in-classroom evaluations, to portfolio assessments. If you’re not sure what type of evaluation would be best for your student, you may want to consult with a professional.
Consider Your Student’s Goals:
When choosing a type of evaluation, it’s important to consider your student’s goals. For instance, a student may need a more comprehensive evaluation to help them move on to college, while a student who wants to stay within the homeschooling track may only need a standardized test.
Knowing your options, and what is best for your student, will help you make the best decision.
7. What Should I Do if I Need Assistance With Homeschooling in Pennsylvania?
Homeschooling can be a difficult process, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or confused when trying to figure out everything from structure to curriculum. If you are in need of assistance with homeschooling in Pennsylvania, there are a variety of resources available to help you.
Local Homeschool Groups:
Local homeschool groups can be a great resource for assistance and advice. Many times, these groups are made up of experienced homeschoolers who can provide tips and answer any questions you may have.
Additionally, some of these groups may also offer events and classes that can help you and your student better understand the homeschooling process.
State Resources:
The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides a variety of resources to help homeschoolers. These include information about curriculum and testing requirements, as well as resources for finding certified assessors and professional resources for homeschoolers.
National Organizations:
The National Home Education Network is a national organization dedicated to helping homeschoolers. They provide resources for homeschoolers throughout the country and can help you access local and state homeschooling organizations.
8. What Are Some of the Challenges of Homeschooling?
Homeschooling can be a rewarding experience for both parents and students, however, it can also come with a variety of challenges.
Time Commitment and Structure:
The time commitment and structure required for homeschooling can be daunting. Parents will need to create a structured schedule and lesson plan that works for their family. This may require a significant amount of planning and organization in order to make sure that your student is getting the education they need to be successful.
Socialization:
Socialization is another challenge that homeschoolers may face. Finding other homeschoolers and forming relationships can be difficult, and even more time-consuming than the actual homeschooling.
It’s important to make sure that your student is getting adequate socialization to help them grow and develop.
Evaluation and Testing:
Evaluation and testing can also be a challenge for homeschoolers. Having your student evaluated on an annual basis can be stressful, and preparing for the assessment can be time consuming. Understanding the testing process, the types of questions, and how to avoid potential pitfalls is essential in order to ensure that your student is successful.
9. How Can I Make Homeschooling an Enjoyable Experience?
Homeschooling can be an enjoyable experience when parents take steps to make it fun and interesting for their kids. Here are a few ways to make the homeschooling experience more enjoyable for your family.
Embrace Variety:
One of the best ways to make homeschooling enjoyable is to embrace variety. Incorporating a wide variety of subjects, activities, and experiences will make sure that your student is engaged and interested in the material.
Incorporate Fun Activities:
Adding fun activities to your student’s routine can help keep their interest and make homeschooling an enjoyable experience. Consider taking regular field trips to local attractions or taking classes at a nearby community center to change things up and keep things fresh.
Allow for Freedom of Expression:
Finally, it is important to allow your student to be creative and express themselves. This could include allowing time for creative exploration through art, music, or other activities. It is important to remember that this is your student’s education, and allowing them to be creative can be a great way to make homeschooling an enjoyable experience.
10. How Can I Make Sure That My Child Is Receiving the Same Quality Education As Public School Students?
When parents choose to homeschool their students, there can be concerns about the quality of education their child is receiving when compared to public school students. To ensure that your child is receiving an education of equal quality, there are a few steps you can take.
Use an Online or Homeschool Curriculum:
Using an established online or homeschool curriculum can help you ensure that your student is receiving an education on par with public school students. Many of these curriculums incorporate the same standards, materials, and projects that are taught in public schools, and can help you make sure your student is on track academically.
Stay Up-to-Date:
Staying up-to-date with educational standards can also help you make sure that your student is receiving an equivalent education. Making sure that all assessments are completed on schedule and that your student is familiar with the material can help to ensure that they are keeping up with public schoolers their age.
Prepare for Testing:
Finally, it is important to make sure that your student is prepared for any required testing. Pennsylvania requires homeschoolers to complete an annual evaluation, and it’s important to make sure your student understands the material and is aware of any potential pitfalls.
Being prepared for testing can help ensure that your student is receiving an education of equal quality to their public school peers.
11. What Types of Activities and Extras Are Available for Homeschooled Students?
The activities and extras available for homeschooled students depend largely on the area in which they are living. Many homeschoolers have access to activities and opportunities that may not be available to public school students, such as field trips, organized sports, local classes, and more.
Field Trips:
Field trips are a great way for homeschoolers to explore the outside world and learn more about the curriculum they’re studying. Homeschoolers often have the advantage of being able to take field trips with other homeschooling families and can explore museums, parks, and other attractions.
Organized Sports:
Homeschooled students who are interested in organized sports can often find local teams to join. Additionally, sports such as tennis, track and field, and golf are all available to homeschoolers and can provide a great way for homeschoolers to stay active and make friends.
Local Classes:
Local classes are another great option for homeschooled students. Homeschoolers can take classes from community centers, local universities, and organizations such as 4-H or Scouts to supplement their education.
These classes can provide an invaluable learning opportunity and can help homeschoolers build relationships and have fun.
12. What Kind of Support Do Homeschooling Parents Need?
Homeschooling can be a difficult and overwhelming process, and it’s important for homeschooling parents to have a support system. Here are a few ways that parents can get the support they need.
Get Involved:
The best way to get support as a homeschooling parent is to get involved in the homeschooling community. This can include joining local homeschooling co-ops, attending events, and talking to other homeschooling families.
Having a network of other homeschoolers can be beneficial and can provide a great source of support and advice.
Online Communities:
The internet can also be a great way for homeschooling parents to get support. There are a variety of online communities, forums, and blogs dedicated to homeschooling that can provide answers to common questions and provide a helpful listening ear for parents.
Professional Resources:
In addition to having a supportive network, homeschooling parents can also tap into professional resources if they need additional help. These can include seeking advice from educational professionals, such as teachers and administrators, as well as finding qualified assessors to help with evaluations.
Professional resources can be invaluable to homeschooling parents and can provide the assistance they need to help their student succeed.
13. What Are Some Strategies for Dealing With Difficult Subjects?
When homeschooling, it can be difficult to keep students engaged and motivated when it comes to difficult or less interesting subjects. However, there are a few strategies that parents can use to make sure their student is making progress and finding success with their education.
Encourage Exploration:
One of the best ways to keep a student motivated is to encourage them to explore the subject matter. This can be done through research projects, hands-on activities, or taking advantage of online resources. By allowing a student to explore the subject on their own terms, they are likely to stay engaged and remain interested.