Hello! Are you wondering how to homeschool in Pennsylvania? Or are you already homeschooling in Pennsylvania and looking for an evaluator? I can help you with a PA homeschool evaluation.
** Note: The 2024 evaluation season was busier than normal. So note – try to schedule earlier for more options 🙂
YES! The 2025 Evaluation Calendar is now ready. Scroll down to book your evaluation.
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I’m Abby and I am a PA certified teacher with a degree in Social Studies Education (7-12) and graduate level work in Secondary Education. My public school classroom teaching experience was at the middle school level. Currently, I homeschool two of my kids and have successfully graduated three.
I am legally qualified to evaluate for the elementary or secondary levels. If you want more information related to my qualifications, feel free to reach out. You can contact me HERE.
Families near Wayne County can choose to meet locally or am able to do long-distance evaluations for families anywhere in the state.
I believe that parents are uniquely gifted to teach their kids. So I am happy to evaluate for families using many different homeschooling styles.
Please see the information below related to PA & distance evaluations. If you’d like to work with me, fill out the form at the bottom of this page. You can pay for your evaluations HERE.
Check out my PA Homeschool Evaluations Facebook page for current news and information.
I also highly recommend that you join the Pennsylvania Homeschool Support Facebook page. They have “units” on their page that will walk you through each step of getting started in PA.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to homeschool in Pennsylvania and obtaining a PA homeschool evaluation.
Are you brand new to homeschooling?
Here’s a comprehensive post with information related to scheduling, content, curriculum, planning, how to start, and more!
Check out these other helpful posts and podcast episodes! If I could sit down with you for a cup of coffee and a chat about homeschooling, this is the advice I would share.
- Why Your Homeschooler is Never “Behind”
- 5 Best Things About Homeschooling Kindergarten
- 14 Top Tips for New Homeschool Moms
- Advice on Homeschool Schedules
- How to Teach Your Child to Read
- Transitioning From Public School to Homeschool
Overview of PA Home Education Process
To begin homeschooling, you need to file an affidavit with educational objectives by August 1st. Send this to your school district. This deadline doesn’t apply to first-time filers; however, you must file before you begin homeschooling.
Plan to keep a portfolio throughout the year.
Schedule an evaluation by a certified teacher or other approved evaluator. Submit the evaluation form to your superintendent by June 30th.
Where can I see the PA Homeschool Law?
Home education programs operate under Section 1327.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code. You can find it HERE. (from www.chaponline.com).
First, when you begin to homeschool in Pennsylvania, please read the law for yourself. You need to be aware of your responsibilities under the law. But you also need to know the limitations of what districts can legally require. Don’t fall into the trap of giving more than the law requires. If districts get used to over-compliance and start to require it, this will lead to trouble for everyone.
In order to understand the responsibilities of the supervisor (that’s you), the evaluator, and your district, I recommend that you print out a copy of the law and underline all the verbs.
Compulsory School Age in Pennsylvania << According to HSLDA: “Using September 1 as a cutoff date for determining whether a child is subject to compulsory school attendance is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s official guidance on compulsory school attendance. So if a child turns six (6) after September 1, you may wait until the following year to file a homeschool affidavit.”
Check out HSLDA’s series for additional information: How to Homeschool in Pennsylvania
2023-2024 Legislative Updates to Home Education Law
Stay on top of legislative updates by following the CHAP website. Act 55 goes into effect in the 2023-2024 school year. Here’s a simple overview, but to learn more about the details, please visit CHAPOnline.com
Act 55 will become effective in the 2023-2024 school year. Act 55 provides additional opportunities for home-educated students to participate in educational programs, co-curricular activities, and career and technical education in their local public school district.
from CHAPOnline.com
Regarding some school district overreach that some families are already starting to see around Act 55, one of my evaluator colleagues reached out to HSLDA for guidance, and this was the response from Scott Woodruff:
The activities to which home schoolers have a right of access under Act 55 are an entirely separate group of activities from those to which homeschoolers have a right of access by virtue of 24 Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated 13-1327.1(f.1). There is no overlap.
I see nothing in 24 PSA 13-1327.1(f.1) that would entitle a school system to insist that the home schooled student enroll as a public school student prior to participating in the activities specified under that section of code.
HSLDA lawyer Scott Woodruff
How do I start homeschooling in PA?
If you want to know how to homeschool in Pennsylvania, check out these helpful overviews.
Homeschooling in PA >> here’s a handy printable PDF that can help you keep track of filing deadlines and important dates in PA (updated!)
The best up-to-date resource that meets the PA law for Affidavit & Objectives is by Beth Phillips of PAHomeschoolLaw.com. Yes! You can use her sample objectives as your own (don’t reinvent the wheel) and just print her affidavit form.
OR – you may use an unsworn declaration instead of the affidavit. Here’s CHAP’s explanation of this change:
In April of 2020, in response to the COVID pandemic, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania added the “unsworn declaration” to be used in place of a notarized affidavit (sworn declaration) in many instances, including the homeschool affidavit. According to the statute, an “unsworn declaration” is a declaration in a signed record not given under oath but given under penalty of perjury. CHAP has added a sample unsworn declaration to homeschoolpennsylvania.org that can be used in place of the notarized affidavit.
From CHAPOnline.com
If your students have been identified by the district with an IEP, then you have two options:
- Have your special ed objectives approved by a special ed certified teacher. I am not qualified to do this, but I can refer you to a colleague.
- If you don’t want special ed services from the district for your child, you can submit an IEP withdrawal letter and then homeschool as normal. Remember, you don’t need an IEP to naturally make learning accommodations happen for your child in a homeschool setting!
I normally recommend mailing in your affidavits via certified mail (green slip), return receipt requested. That way you have a paper trail for your affidavit.
Where can I find an affidavit, objectives, and other required forms?
Here are the best websites for PA Homeschoolers. Don’t reinvent the wheel. When you need an affidavit, just print a ready-made one from one of these sites.
PAHomeschoolLaw.com This site gives you tons of resources for how to homeschool in Pennsylvania. Please see the link above to Beth Phillips’ affidavit & objectives.
If you choose to use the unsworn declaration instead of the affidavit, CHAP has a sample HERE.
What about health services requirements?
What about the health services requirements under PA Homeschool Law? << this is an article written by Beth Phillips, homeschool mom and lawyer in PA.
Here is some helpful information regarding medical documentation with affidavits. I’m copying/pasting most of this from a post in a PA evaluator group with permission from my colleague who wrote this.
“Since Medical/Health and Immunizations discussion is surfacing elsewhere. This is my opinion (and I have documentation from HSLDA with the same). Always open for other pov with supporting law. (Long explanation) 
There are a few interpretations of the affidavit section on medical and immunizations, so I always start with the words of the law:
13-1327.1(b)(1)… evidence that the child has been immunized in accordance with the provisions of section 1303(a) and has received the health and medical services required for students of the child’s age or grade level in Article XIV; and that the home education program shall comply with the provisions of this section ***and that the notarized affidavit shall be satisfactory evidence thereof.***
I put asterisks around the last statement because that says that if the affidavit states that the child has received the medical and immunizations, that no other attachments are necessary.
BUT IT DOES NOT END HERE.
There is at least one other legal consideration outside of the home education program law.
The Pennsylvania Disease Prevention and Control law (of 1955) gives the State Advisory Health Board explicit permission to make up rules and regulations pertaining to immunizations. (This was probably done because of the transient nature of immunizations and that way the legislature would not need to pass laws every time a new or better immunization was developed. Makes sense considering the pace of Harrisburg. :-))
Chapter 23 of the Public School Code, Subchapter C, covers the immunizations. It requires that an annual immunization report for each child. Home education programs are explicitly called out in the group.
23.81 “This subchapter affects public, private and parochial schools, including kindergartens, special education classes, home education programs and vocational classes in this Commonwealth.”
So, in my opinion, I believe that a statement on a notarized affidavit ONLY covers medical and health requirements, but an immunization report (or exemption) must be attached annually to affidavits.”
What should I be doing during the year to make sure I’m ready for the end-of-the-year homeschool evaluation?
Great question! While PA law can certainly be frustrating at times because of all the hoops we need to jump through (compared with other less regulated states), it is not difficult to “check the boxes.”
Your evaluator will look for 3 things in your portfolio:
- book log (just keep a running list of the books your child is reading)
- samples of work (this can be worksheets, projects, pictures, videos, field trip stuff, etc!)
- standardized test results in grades 3, 5, 8 only. I recommend the CAT because it can be done untimed and online, but you have many options. And yes, the law specifically says that the results must be included in the portfolio.
If you keep a few samples of work across the subjects from the beginning, middle, and end of the year as you go, then in the spring, you’ll already have the portfolio ready! If your child is mainly using online courses, be sure to take screenshots throughout the year to include in the portfolio. Sometimes it’s not easy to get back in an online course to document and grab samples.
Keep a page handy for recording book titles all year.
Plan on having your 3rd, 5th, or 8th grader take a standardized test at some point in the year.
That’s all you have to do to be ready for your PA homeschool evaluation.
Portfolio FAQ
Many parents reach out to me with questions about the portfolio. It seems to be an overwhelming topic for new homeschooling families. Here are some of the most common questions I receive about the PA portfolio.
But first, the best general guideline is: don’t overthink it! If you use your portfolio as a scrapbook to celebrate and show off the learning your child has done this year, then that’s the best place to start. Don’t get overly technical with how many pieces for each subject, or whether you include a worksheet or a drawing. Your portfolio will mirror your homeschooling style.
That means for some of you, it will be hard to narrow down which worksheets to include because your child has done so many! For other families, it will be hard to find enough written work to include because your homeschooling style is more hands-on and experiential.
Just try to find the best way to showcase progress this year. Keep that goal in mind and it should help you create your portfolio.
Q: How many samples of work need to be included for each subject?
A: There is no strict answer! The law just requires that the evaluator can certify that your child has received an appropriate education. That means that including samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the year is a great way to do this, but not the only way. You do not need to show 50 math worksheets! But you should probably show more than one.
Q: What if my child uses online programs? How do I create a portfolio?
A: This is a great question, and you definitely need to plan ahead for this! If your child is strictly completing work online, one option is to take screenshots occasionally of their lessons, progress, and work online. See if there are other real-world samples of work that you can include, even if it doesn’t specifically correlate with their online courses. So, your high schooler would probably want to include some writing samples or even their math problems scratched out on paper to show their work. Your younger kids probably still create art work and other writing samples, so include those as well.
Q: Do I need to include the results of the standardized tests? Can my child fail homeschool because of those tests?
A: According to the law, the evaluator does need to see the results of the test. So, if your child is in grades 3, 5, or 8, just include the one page of results from the testing to satisfy this requirement. No, your child does not fail homeschool because of the test results! While many of us do the testing simply to comply with the law, the results can still be a helpful tool in crafting your homeschooling goals and plans.
We can talk through the results during the evaluation interview and come up with a plan to address any weaknesses. Some of you already know that your child needs extra help in an area, so the results will not be surprising to you! Some children are just not great test takers, and that’s okay.
What other questions do you have about portfolios? Send me an email at abby@4onemore.com and I’d love to help you out! Plus, I can add the question here because it’s likely if you’re asking the question, other families are as well.
Standardized Testing FAQ
The PA Home Education law requires that “in grades three, five, and eight results of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language arts and mathematics or the results of Statewide tests administered in these grade levels” be included in the child’s portfolio. 24 P.S. §13-1327.1(e)(1)
Most families prefer to use the online, untimed California Achievement Test (CAT)
These answers are taken from Pennsylvania Home Educators Association-PHEA
Q: Does it matter when we test? Fall or spring?
A: For compliance with the law, it doesn’t matter when you test, fall or spring. Some find personal reasons for doing it at specific times.
Q: Do my children have to take the PSSA? Can they take the PSSA?
A: The law allows home educated children to take the PSSA tests. If you wish to have your child take the PSSA, please contact your school. English/Language Arts and mathematics are offered in the spring.
Home educated children do NOT have to take the PSSA tests. This is a test that is administered in an environment that is naturally foreign to homeschoolers, by a teacher who is unfamiliar to them and in a group that has been ‘taught to the test’ by the public school teachers. The added stress on the child rarely gives an accurate picture of their knowledge.
Q: Which tests can we use?
A: The Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided a list of 11 tests to choose from. They vary in scope and time length. See list below.
Current List of PDE approved tests (as of 02/01/2017)
- California Achievement Test
- Comprehensive Testing Program (CTPIV)
- Iowa Test of Basic Skills
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
- Metropolitan Achievement Test
- Peabody Achievement Individual Test – Revised Version
- Stanford Achievement Test
- Terra Nova
- Woodcock-Johnson Revised Tests of Achievement III
- Woodcock-Johnson IV
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test III (WIAT-III)
Q: Who can proctor the standardized test?
A: The only restriction on who may give the test to the student in grades 3, 5, and 8 is that it cannot be the parent. Any other family member or friend may administer the test to the child – many families use a neighbor, relative or an older sibling. No one verifies the test administrator.
Computerized testing is not administered by the parent, but by the computer, and therefore acceptable without further persons involved.
Q: Which grade level test do I have to use? For example, if my child is in 3rd grade, do I have to give them the 3rd grade test?
A: The parent determines the grade of the home educated child, not the school district.
The parent determines which test the child takes and the level of that test. The law only states that in grades 3, 5,and 8 results be included in the portfolio. For example, it does not state that a child who is 8 years old must take a 3rd grade test; they may take a lower or higher level test.
Q: What else should I know about testing?
A: Only scores in reading/language art and math testing are required. Any other subject areas are optional and results are beyond the law.
Anyone may order an achievement test from the test companies. Not all suppliers have the same requirements for test administrators.
The testing provided by homeschool service providers or evaluators is not superior to the tests that a parent may order on their own, nor is participation in large group testing required by the Home Education law.
Studies have, in fact, shown that students do better being tested in familiar surroundings, and for homeschoolers, that would be home.
Testing can be less expensive when tests are ordered through the mail from a test supplier when compared with the costs of testing provided by a homeschooling business.
Q: Does my child need a “passing score” on the tests?
A: There are no “acceptable” test scores. The law only requires that the results be included in the portfolio. The school district never sees the results; only your evaluator looks at them.
Final encouragement: Please do not stress over testing. This anxiety is transferred to your child and can be upsetting. Testing is only an educational tool. 🙂
Tips for High School Records
Plan ahead for homeschooling high school! In order to graduate, your student will need to complete the following minimum courses in grades 9-12:
- Four years of English
- Three years of mathematics.
- Three years of science.
- Three years of social studies
- Two years of arts and humanities.
In addition, at some point in grades 7 through 12, “…the following courses shall be taught…”
- English, to include language, literature, speech and composition;
- mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra and geometry;
- science;
- social studies, to include civics, world history, history of the United States and Pennsylvania; geography;
- art; music;
- physical education; health; and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires.
Make a high school plan before your child begins 9th grade. That way, you will be able to fit in all the requirements. Of course, you can change things around as you go. However, having a flexible plan at the beginning is usually best.
Start keeping a high school transcript in 9th grade. << (there’s a link to an editable transcript in this post). You can also use this form to make sure the requirements of the PA homeschool law are met.
What is the PA homeschool evaluation process?
At the end of the year, evaluators in PA meet the law by conducting an evaluation. Here’s what the law says:
“The evaluation shall also be based on an interview of the child and a review of the portfolio … and shall certify whether or not an appropriate education is occurring.”
“Appropriate education” shall mean a program consisting of instruction in the required subjects for the time required in this act and in which the student demonstrates sustained progress in the overall program.” –PA Homeschool Law
PA Homeschool Evaluation PDF >> a printable PDF that summarizes the main parts of the PA Homeschool law and how to homeschool in Pennsylvania
I offer short form evaluations, which fulfill the law without going overboard.
How does a distance homeschool evaluation work?
PA Distance Evaluations >> this will explain the process in its simplest form
Here’s the process in a nutshell:
- get close to your 180 days (you don’t have to be totally finished)
- get your portfolio ready
- fill out intake form at bottom of this page
- schedule the interview below (the “interview” is just a super informal chat with you & your kids!!)
- pay for evaluations HERE – please include a note at checkout with your children’s names so I can properly credit your payment
- share the portfolio with me – please include your child’s first & last name in the portfolio and in the file or folder name
- short phone interview OR Zoom video call > your choice!
- I will scan/email your one page evaluator’s certification that you will turn into your school district by June 30th.
That’s it!!
If you live in the Wayne County area, we can meet in-person near Honesdale. Please contact me directly to schedule your evaluation. You can email me at abby@4onemore.com. In this case, you wouldn’t need to share the portfolio ahead of time. Simply bring it to the in-person meet up.
There are many options for sharing the portfolio before a distance PA homeschool evaluation. Choose which one works for you, or if you have an idea not listed here – let me know! I’m open to suggestions.
Here are some ways my families share the portfolio with me:
- Google Drive for Evals >> this PDF will walk you through the steps
- Scan the portfolio and share via email or Google Drive
- Take pictures of the portfolio pages and share via email or Google Drive
- Create a private Facebook group. You can upload photos, videos, samples of work, or whatever else you’d like to be “in” your portfolio. It can function as a digital portfolio. You can invite me to the private group when you’re ready to share the portfolio at the end of the year.
- Use the SeeSaw app
- Dropbox
How much do evaluations cost?
I am happy to provide family pricing. As a mom of five, I know how quickly things can add up!
You can purchase evaluations HERE.
- $35 / 1 eval
- $45 / 2 evals
- $55 / 3 evals
- $65 / 4+ evals
Can homeschool graduates get a PA Diploma?
Yes! Since the 2014 law change, homeschool graduates are able to receive a supervisor-issued (that’s you!), evaluator-signed (that’s me!) PA Diploma.
Here’s the High School Diploma from the PA Department of Education
Here’s what you need to do for your 12th grader’s PA homeschool evaluation to get the diploma:
- Complete the normal end-of-year evaluation process with portfolio and interview (by phone, Zoom video, or in-person)
- Include a high school transcript
- Fill out this form so we can both make sure the requirements of the PA homeschool law have been met
- I will email you a digital copy of the diploma
If you’d like a “nice” copy of the PA Diploma, you can order that HERE. It will be printed on certificate paper and mailed to your home address.
Can I get personalized help with homeschooling?
Yes! Check out my Homeschool Consultation package HERE.
Finally, have you checked out my recommended homeschool resources HERE or get access to my FREE resource library HERE.
I am always so impressed when conducting evaluations for my families! You are doing a great job!
Ready to book an evaluation?
For a distance evaluation, please complete these steps in this order:
- Schedule: Book a phone or Zoom video interview on the calendar below or HERE. (2025 evaluation calendar will be open in January 2025) Note: The time slots are in 30 minute increments, which is usually plenty of time for elementary students or families with 1-3 children. If you have 3+ children, or high schoolers who may have more to share, feel free to book two back-to-back time slots for your evaluation. There is no additional fee to book an extra time slot.
- Pay: Go HERE to purchase
If you don’t see the calendar below, you can find it and schedule HERE
If you live in the Wayne County area, we can meet in-person near Honesdale. NEW for 2025! You can schedule directly on my Honesdale calendar below or HERE. In this case, you wouldn’t need to share the portfolio ahead of time. Simply bring it to the in-person meet up.
