Legally homeschooling

PA’s homeschooling laws are vastly different from Oregon’s.  Rather than a simple notification, we have to submit a notarized affidavit stating that we are “qualified” to teach our children, and that we will follow certain requirements.  I needed to attest to the fact that I have a high-school diploma and that no felons live in our house.   I  have to provide an “appropriate education” and include some PA history and fire safety.  Fire safety is heavily emphasized.  Our township has a fire safety expo in October that will be crawling with homeschoolers out to fulfill that requirement.  I have to submit a portfolio of work samples to both an independent evaluator and to the school district for review, to show that I am providing this “appropriate education.”  I have to do this in English.  I have to submit some objectives for the year – and found loads of good advice and vague examples online.  And the kids have to undergo standardized testing – that is the same as in Oregon.

Another requirement is providing a statement from the kids’ doctor and dentist that they have had specific tests and immunizations. The school district doesn’t want to know the results of the tests, just that they were done.  This bothered me both as a practical matter – we hadn’t established relationships with new doctors or dentists in time to get that information before the affidavit was due.   After much discussion with my homeschool group and some internet searches, I found that I can claim an exemption to providing medical and dental services on religious, moral, or ethical grounds.   Great, except I don’t object to providing the services.  I just object to providing the information to the school district.  Finally I found an example of such an exemption form, used with some success by some folks.  So that is what I used.

2 weeks ago I submitted my packet of information and notarized document.  Then the wait began.  Would it be accepted?  People warned me that different school districts have different requirements, even though the law is the same throughout the state.   Many school districts use an interpretation of the law given to them by a homeschooling advocate who helped create the law.  Not all homeschoolers consider him an advocate.  Some might accept my medical/dental exemption, some might not.

Saturday I received my letter from the homeschool coordinator.  All is well.  I can start educating my children now.  Oh, I also have to be sure to have 180 days or 900 hours of instruction.  I printed off a form with  little squares to write the dates of our school days in.  We’ve already had our first field trip day!  I’d say the Franklin Institute of Science and the King Tut exhibit would qualify for appropriate education, yes?