My point is, feel free to be creative in designing a course of study to meet the basic requirements for graduation. PDE concluded that the existing graduation requirementtoo narrowly defined postsecondarysuccess and recommended a requirement that more accurately recognizes the varied pathways to postsecondary success by offering options for students to demonstrate readiness. I wont repeat the details of the basic graduation requirements in this post. Fair warning, some of the best podcasts I listen to occassionally include explicit language and are labeled as such. You may teach your children at home if your home is an extension or satellite of a religious day school. You may find the following pages helpful. In order to address implementation and policy challenges, the legislature enacted a series of moratoriums on the use of Keystone Exams as a statewide graduation requirement through, . Thank you so much for all the information you provide in this site. If interested, a certified teacher may check their Act 48 status at the PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION. Its amazing how quickly we become programmed to one definition of learning]. Privacy Policy There are so many platforms for online learning, including university-sponsored (usually referred to as Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCS), that this whole post could be just a list of them. Therefore, effective with the 1992-93 academic year the Agency will now accept a Pennsylvania Homeschoolers diploma as satisfaction of the Agency's high school graduation test for State Grant purposes. That class isnt too boring. That teacher is funny/nice. Its an easy A. My 9th grader is going through the process now and there just arent many electives available that interest him. Students are required to take the Keystone Exams to meet federal accountability requirements. They were all homeschooled until junior high-ish. Ultimately, the evaluation must certify that the student is receiving an appropriate education, which is defined as a program consisting of instruction in the required subjects, a program meeting minimum instructional timetables, and in which the student demonstrates sustained progress. Be aware that any school you are transferring to may request to view your students portfolio and may even require the student to submit to school-specific placement testing. It depends. PHAA - Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency However, modern psychology is based on research and scientific data and methods and its perfectly legitimate to classify the subject as a science for purposes of a transcript. standards and procedures of the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency and finds them acceptable. There are entire podcasts about history, economics, psychology, human behavior, music, child development, travel, languages, science, politics, entrepreneurship, finance, government, art, business, productivity, really, you name it. Homeschool Laws By State - HSLDA Homeschooling in PA Pennsylvania: A 2023 Ultimate Guide After many years of cyberschool, we are making the switch to homeschool. You could even double up if the student wanted to graduate early. Decisions on grade level placement and transfer of credits will vary from school to school, and is at each schools discretion. (Still, thats a lot less than private school!). All children between the ages of 8 and 16 are required to attend school under Pennsylvanias compulsory education requirements. Download this FREE resource where experienced homeschoolers share their stories for how to begin homeschooling, understanding your child academically, planning your days, and much more. PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: PARENTS' GUIDE TO PROPOSED CHANGES Revised 8/16/20121 In order to graduate from a public high school in Pennsylvania, your child must meet specific requirements established by the Local Education Agency (district, charter school, or career and technical center) in which s/he is enrolled. You may use any curriculum to meet the subject and graduation requirements or design your own. Although its rare, a home education program can be designed to satisfy all the high school requirements in less than 3 years. Below is the text of the original Homeschool Law with the modifications made by the amendments of 2006 and 2014. The school district should be able to verify the following as is required to track both the notarized affidavit and the evaluation: There are a number of avenues for individuals to qualify to become home education evaluators (24 P.S. conduct the evaluation with the prior consent of the local superintendent. It does not constitute legal advice by the publisher and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the publisher and reader. If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney in your community. My daughter is reviewing Dave Ramseys Foundations financial literacy course for high school students instead of pursuing another full textbook-based course to complete her math requirement. Naturally, in a high-regulation state such as Pennsylvania, education requirements for homeschoolers lead to a need for detailed recordkeeping. Evaluation Closing Out a Home Education Program subsection.). Senate Bill 1095, signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on October 24, 2018, shifted Pennsylvania's reliance on high stakes testing as a graduation requirement to provide alternatives for high school students to demonstrate readiness for postsecondary success. Home Education Programs - Pennsylvania Department of Education I didnt dictate which topics she had to study for the other subject requirements but gave her some options. 13-1327.1(e),(h.1)). Pennsylvania is considered to be one of the most highly regulated states for homeschooling in the U.S. The questions are many, including: What does my state require from me to home school legally? The evaluation must be based on an interview of your child and a review of the portfolio, and it shall certify whether or not an appropriate education is occurring. State law defines an appropriate education as instruction If you need legal advice, please consult a licensed attorney in your community. Student selects five additional courses from among those approved for credit toward graduation by the school including approved vocational education courses. One other benefit of dual enrollment is that it encourages independence. If you're wondering what the basic graduation requirements are under Pennsylvania homeschool law, they can be found directly in the text of the statute and are pretty straightforward. Can I Legally Homeschool Someone Elses Child Under PA Law. To help you plan HOW to meet the minimum requirements, the law also identifies certain subjects which must be taught during the secondary years (7-12). Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws & Requirements | Time4Learning And if you opt for tutors, video courses, or all-inclusive curriculum packages, your cost could be $500 or more. PDF pennsylvania Normally, affidavits must be submitted for any child age 8 or older, unless that child was previously enrolled in kindergarten or first grade, in which case the affidavit must be submitted regardless of age. In light of this, evaluators may consider providing a signed listing each year to the supervisor documenting the courses they have reviewed. Yes. The supervisor should receive permission to use an evaluator with "other qualifications" well before the evaluation is due to ensure the choice is acceptable. I will keep you posted. The student's plans after high school will determine whether a diploma is required. The supervisor has complete discretion to decide the time that the student studies these enumerated topics and which concepts are most important. The basis for these concerns must be substantiated in writing to the supervisor of the home education program by the superintendent of schools. and receive a fee or other consideration for teaching. There are several ways to get a high school diploma. Obviously, I would encourage everyone to complete the home education program with the minimum graduation requirements. Requirements for Homeschool Students. One of the best ways to meet high school credit requirements is by taking advantage of local or online college courses. Have each homeschooled child take a state-approved standardized test in grades 3,5, and 8, Comply with mandatory course requirements, depending on grade level and an agreement that those subjects will be taught in the English language, Comply with minimum graduation requirements to receive a state-recognized diploma (more info below), Name of the homeschool supervisor and a statement affirming that they have received at least a high school diploma, Affirmation that homeschool instruction will be in the English language, Affirmation that child has received requisite immunizations (with attached evidence), Affirmation that child has received requisite health and medical services (with attached evidence), Affirmation that the homeschooler will receive instruction in all required courses for their grade level, Affirmation that instruction will equal a minimum of 180 school days or 900 hours, Affirmation that no adult living in the home or in legal custody of the homeschooler has been convicted of the listed criminal offenses in the previous five years, An attachment of education objectives by subject matter, Samples of writings, worksheets, and other creative works completed during the homeschool year, The results of required standardized tests in grades 3, 5, and 8, The yearly written student evaluation (see below), Pennsylvania certified teacher with two years grading experience at the level they evaluate, Nonpublic school teacher or administrator with two years Pennsylvania teaching experience within the last 10 years at the level they evaluate, Other qualified persons who have received previous approval from the superintendent, Having a submitted affidavit for the 12th grade homeschool year, Completion of the graduation requirements of the law, Use of an approved and adequate home education evaluator, A completed evaluation for the 12th grade year by an approved evaluator and a co-signed diploma by that same evaluator, Use of a standardized diploma form developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, ($14.95/mo for each additional PreK-8th student). You should choose an evaluator who agrees with this interpretation of the law. PDF PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - pdesas.org I knew she was engaging with the subject because she almost always shared things that sparked her curiosity or interest. Some homeschool parents get spooked about high school due to Pennsylvanias higher regulations relative to other states but they really shouldnt. 3) Amendments enacted by Act 196 of 2014 are in blue . Access the Statewide High School Graduation Requirement. changes effective through 53 Pa.B. Thanks so much for the information, Beth. To qualify as a day school, the school must do the following: See Option 1: Homeschooling under the homeschool statute, item #3, above. The notarized affidavit for each homeschool child should include: The Pennsylvania Department of Education makes samples of the affidavits available on their website. In addition, the day school must furnish the local district with a list of the names and residences of all children between 6 and 18 years of age enrolled in the school. The supervisor of the home education program may have a preference for the amount of detail contained in the written evaluation (see the Algebra and Geometry are the same. The following courses must be taught: Elementary-Level (K6th grade) Required Courses, Secondary-Level (7th12th grade) Required Courses. This site also contains links for other affiliate programs. To complete her math requirement, Kate watched Dave Ramseys Foundations in Personal Finance for Homeschoolers. Graduation requirements. Should You Respond To Unauthorized Requests From School Administrators? Beginning with the graduating class of 2017, passage of these exams in Pennsylvania was also intended to serve as a statewide graduation requirement. This site should only be used for informational purposes. Free Downloadable/Printable Homeschooling Formsfor Planning, Record-Keeping and Complying With the PA Law. being tutored and notify the superintendent of any additional children he or she subsequently begins to tutor. Parents who are claiming religious exemption from immunizations and / or health and medical services should submit the exemption form below. Option 3: Enrolling your child in a satellite of a religious day school. Other online platforms that you should check out are Lynda.com, Coursera.org, creativelive.com,udemy.comand The Great Courses. From home repairs to graphic design to calculus to photography to computer programming. Most conventional high schools require between 21 and 27 credits in grades 9 to 12 to graduate. For purposes of this article, its good to know that PA homeschool law requires a miniumum of 15 credits between grades 9 and 12 to graduate, including 4 years of English, 3 years each of social studies, science and math and 2 years of arts and humanities. Pennsylvania Laws Pennsylvania Select a different location Pennsylvania Homeschool Law At a Glance Options for Homeschooling: Four School Required for Ages: 6-18 Notification Required: Yes Teacher Qualifications: No, except option 1 State Mandated Subjects: Yes Assessment requirements: No, except option 1 Immunization requirements: Yes Shelly, Youre welcome. Students are required to take the Keystone Exams to meet federal accountability requirements. The evaluator may offer to add a notation to the twelfth grade evaluation submitted to the superintendent stipulating that the graduation requirements have been met so that the school district can document the home education graduation. Be taught by a parent (or legal guardian) with a high school diploma (or equivalent) who has not been convicted of any major criminal offenses in the previous five years. Included in the portfolio must be the following documentation: Your childs portfolio must be submitted for an annual written evaluation by (1)a licensed psychologist, (2)or a teacher certified by the state (with two years of teaching experience), (3)or a nonpublic She had more than enough Arts and Humanities credits and the other electives she took (Speech, Wellness, Computer Aided Design, Spanish 1 and 2, and Phys Ed.) Roadschooling: The Ultimate Educational Travel Adventure! This is truly killing two birds with one stone since the student gets both high school and actual college credit that could allow him to earn a degree sooner. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 13-1327.1(e)(2)). Part 2 of 9: Compulsory School Age in Pennsylvania, Part 3 of 9: How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Pennsylvania, Part 4 of 9: Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Pennsylvania, Part 5 of 9: Special Education Provisions for Pennsylvania, Part 6 of 9: The Importance of Recordkeeping in Pennsylvania, Part 7 of 9: Child Labor and Work Permit Laws in Pennsylvania, Part 8 of 9: Jury Duty Laws in Pennsylvania, How to Withdraw Your Child from School in Pennsylvania, Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Pennsylvania, Special Education Provisions for Pennsylvania, The Importance of Recordkeeping in Pennsylvania, Child Labor and Work Permit Laws in Pennsylvania, The name of the parent/supervisor, name and age of child, address, and telephone number, Assurance that subjects are taught in English*, Outline of proposed educational objectives by subject area, Evidence of health and medical services required by law, Certification that the home education program will comply with 24 P.S. Option 2: Homeschooling with a private tutor. Most conventional high schools require between 21 and 27 credits in grades 9 to 12 to graduate. Most hosts and guests are active on social media and its easy to engage and show appreciation for the work. PA State Graduation Requirements for Homeschoolers The following courses are required in grades nine through twelve to graduate from a homeschool program. Beginning with the graduating class of 2017, passage of these exams in Pennsylvania was also intended to serve as a statewide graduation requirement. Its a highly personal decision based on a students future plans, maturity and family circumstances. In this post, Ill explain how even the most relaxed home education program can satisfy the basic graduation requirements of the Pennsylvania homeschool law while still preparing a student for his or her future plans. I hope this post helps you design a high school education program that engages and excites your student. This site also contains links for other affiliate programs. The verification of these credentials will depend on the credential itself. We get it. 22 Pa. Code 4.24. High school graduation requirements. A certification that the supervisor, all adults living within the home, and any persons having legal custody of the children have not been convicted of certain criminal offenses within the past fiveyears. You may want to have your child take it in his sophomore year for practice. There are plenty of quality podcasts that arent labeled explicit. When PHAA was first recognized, the PDE recognized PHAA as an accreditation agency that can accredit homeschool programs under 22 Pa Code 121.21 which states: An appropriate education is defined in If your child does well on the PSAT, he may qualify as a National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist and eventually a NMS finalist, possibly offering a full-tuition scholarship. (5) Two years of arts and humanities. Pennsylvania students take Keystone Exams in Algebra I, Literature, and Biology as end-of-course exams, regardless of grade. Statewide High School Graduation Requirement THE STUDENT MUST BE EDUCATED UNDER SECTION 1327.1 OF THE PA PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE. I didnt assign research papers or any type of writing but Kate was free to write a summary or outline for her own benefit if she wanted to. . The requirements for receiving a state-recognized homeschool diploma in Pennsylvania are: If you need to end your period of home education in Pennsylvania for any reason, the policies regarding transfer from homeschool to public school will be up to each individual school or school district. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This site should only be used for informational purposes. I wanted to make sure she was somewhat intentional and planning for her future before I just handed her a year of complete freedom to pursue it. 1327.1(c)(2), including Algebra, Geometry, etc. Graduation requirements. Graduation and Diplomas - Homeschool Pennsylvania Requirements for Homeschooling in Pennsylvania. HSLDA is the trusted movement leader that makes homeschooling possible by caring for member families and protecting and securing the future of homeschooling. Diplomas - Pennsylvania Department of Education What You Need to Know About Homeschool Graduation Requirements (e)A school may offer any of the following planned courses as a unit of credit toward graduation: (f)The planned courses may be offered for less than 120 hours and course credit shall be awarded based on the fraction thereof. (Im stressed just thinking about it all). "(2)At the secondary school level, the following courses shall be taught: English, to include language, literature, speech and composition; science; geography; social studies, to include civics, world history, history of the United States and Pennsylvania; mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra and geometry; art; music; physical education; health; and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires. Both are high quality introductions or in-depth discussions of interesting ideas and the worlds most fascinating, smart and productive people. First: Make a Four-Year Plan Sophomore Year: Take the PSAT Consider dual enrollment Or, CLEP tests Practice the college admissions essay Update their high school transcript Junior Year: Take the SAT or ACT Begin touring college campuses Fill out the FAFSA Begin applying for scholarships Senior Year: Finalize SAT/ACT Results 24 P.S. Log: The log must be made contemporaneously with the instruction [and designate] by title the reading materials used . This means an evaluator does not have to maintain Act 48 hours (24 P.S. I obtained her transcripts from both schools to tally up her credits. PHAA is one of the diploma-granting organizations, recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to provide diplomas to graduates of Pennsylvania home education programs. ET. (4)Social Studies3 planned courses, each 120-clock hours. 24 P.S. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. In order to homeschool your children, the tutor must be certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to teach in the public schools of Pennsylvania, teach one or more children who are members of a single family, provide the majority of the instruction, This decision will largely be influenced by the student's plans after completion of the home education program. 2284 (April 22, 2023). 2) Amendments enacted by the Equal Access Law of 2006 are in green font. Apply for a diploma through one of the diploma organizations registered with thePennsylvania Department of Education. Ive been looking for information/discussion on parent issued diplomas vs. the diploma programs in Pennsylvania. Course description or support should satisfy an evaluator that the basic graduation requirements have been met. You may teach your children at home if they are enrolled in an extension or satellite of a day or boarding school that is accredited by an accrediting association approved by the State Board of Education. So, for example, if your child takes Algebra in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th, it satisfies the provision mentioned above, but they do not count toward the minimum math requirements in grades 9-12. 13-1327.1(a) as: Sustained progress in the overall program would indicate that the student is progressing through the mandatory courses such that the student will complete all mandatory courses during their current interval (elementary or secondary). Kate also told me it inspired her to plan and she felt empowered by it. My daughter takes public transportation and navigates the logistics at the community college mostly on her own. Since no time can be recorded toward the mandatory hours or days until the affidavit is submitted to the school district (the affidavit He did not get a degree or certificate but got a lot of job offers in computer science that he turned down. Clearly, the law permits children younger than 18 to graduate early. Identical information from me sounds like a lecture or telling her what to do. (d.1) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this act or any other law or regulation to the contrary, a high school diploma awarded by a supervisor or an approved diploma-granting organization shall be considered as having all the rights and privileges afforded by the Commonwealth, a Commonwealth agency, including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, a political subdivision, a local agency and an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision to a high school diploma awarded under this act, subject to subparagraphs (i) and (ii): (i) In the case of a diploma awarded by a supervisor the following shall apply: (A) The student receiving the diploma shall have completed all the requirements in subsection (d) while enrolled in a home education program that is in compliance with this section. Managing her finances will allow her to do it sooner than later. 9th 10th 11th 12th ____ ____ ____ ____ Four years of English Why Is Summer a Great Time to Begin Homeschooling? The ideal way to track the progress of your student year to year is through use of a homeschool portfolio. Choosing electives is never an exercise in interest for the time slot thats available. Before starting the process of homeschooling their children, parents who live in Pennsylvania need to familiarize themselves with PA homeschool requirements. In Pennsylvania, you have several legal options under which you may choose to operate your homeschool program. University Park, PA 16802-1294. Act 196 of 2014 provides for state-recognized supervisor-issued diplomas for students completing the graduation requirements of a home education high school diploma. Federal and State financial aid is also available WITHOUT a diploma. You must teach 180 days or 900 hours at the elementary school level and 180 days or 990 hours at the secondary level. No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit. (c)English and Physical Education shall be taught to every student yearly in grades 9 through 12. There is no syllabus or standard of concepts to be mastered. No statutes or acts will be found at this website.