Pennsylvania Homeschool State Laws

Please note that laws and regulations may have changed since this update, so it’s always important to verify the information with the official sources or consult legal professionals for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

As of the cutoff information in September 2021, the homeschooling laws in Pennsylvania are as follows:

• Required Notice: Parents or guardians who wish to homeschool their children in Pennsylvania must file a notarized affidavit with the superintendent of their school district or the superintendent’s designee. This affidavit must include the names and ages of the children being homeschooled, the name and address of the parents or guardians, and evidence of the child’s progress in the form of an approved evaluation.
• Qualifications: Parents or guardians who provide homeschooling in Pennsylvania must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Required Subjects: Homeschooling parents in Pennsylvania must provide instruction in the following subjects: English, including spelling, reading, and writing; arithmetic; science; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; civics; safety education, including fire prevention and accident prevention; health and physiology; physical education; music; and art.
• Evaluation: Each year, homeschooling parents must provide an evaluation of their child’s educational progress. The evaluation can be done through one of the following methods: a standardized test administered by a certified teacher; a written narrative provided by a qualified evaluator; a portfolio review by a certified teacher or other qualified evaluator; or any other method mutually agreed upon by the parents and the school district.
• Required Days of Instruction: Homeschooling parents must provide instruction for at least 180 days per year.
• Diploma and Graduation: Homeschooled students in Pennsylvania do not automatically receive a diploma from the state. However, parents or guardians can issue a diploma to their child upon completion of the homeschool program.
• Special Education: Pennsylvania law allows for special education services to be provided to homeschooled students with disabilities. Parents must contact the local school district to arrange for evaluation and services.

It’s important to note that homeschooling laws and regulations can change over time, so it’s advisable to consult the Pennsylvania Department of Education or a legal professional for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding homeschooling in the state.

Udpated October 2023