Regulation<\/h2>\n
Pennsylvania<\/span><\/a> offers multiple options for homeschooling students. The state requires parents who elect to homeschool their children, ages 6 to 18, to submit a notarized affidavit of intent to homeschool to the local superintendent annually. Additionally, the parent must submit an instructional plan outlining the educational objectives in each subject; proof of immunization or exemptions; and evidence that the child has received appropriate <\/span>medical<\/span> services.<\/span><\/p>\n Parents<\/span><\/a> who direct their children’s education at home must have at least a high school diploma or GED. Parents may hire a \u201cproperly qualified private tutor,\u201c defined as a certified teacher working with a single family. A list of other requirements and provisions accompany private tutoring of homeschooled students. See <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>here<\/span><\/a> for more information. Also, <\/span>24 P.S. \u00a713-1327 (a)<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Pennsylvania has <\/span>many requirements that address instructional time. For example, homeschooled students must attend school for at least 180 days or 900-990 hours, depending on grade level. Parents must <\/span>maintain attendance<\/span> records <\/span>in the student’s portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s subject requirements for homeschooled students are the most extensive in the nation. <\/span> For example, in the elementary grades, homeschooled students must receive instruction in \u201c<\/span>English, to include spelling, reading and writing; arithmetic; science; geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; civics; safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires; health and physiology; physical education; music; and art.\u201d The state requires <\/span>more subjects<\/span> for secondary-level homeschooled students.<\/span><\/p>\n However, unlike many other states, homeschool parents in Pennsylvania have the legal right to borrow textbooks and curriculum from their local school district, free of charge.<\/span> <\/span>24 <\/span>P.S.<\/span><\/a> \u00a713-1327.1 (f).<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Also, unlike other states, homeschooled students in Pennsylvania who follow the prescribed course requirements may receive a state diploma. <\/span>22 Pa Code \u00a74.72.\u202f<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The state requires homeschooled students to take assessments in grades 3, 5, and 8, and parents may chose either the state test (PSSAs\/PASAs) or one of 11 other nationally normed standardized tests. <\/span>Parents should keep test results in the student\u2019s portfolio.<\/span><\/p>\n With the passage of Act 55<\/a> in 2022, homeschooled students can take academic, co-curricular courses, or CTE programs from the local school district of residence<\/span>. A<\/span>ccording to Pennsylvania policy, homeschooled students with special needs may request special services from their local school district, but it appears that receiving services depends upon the district superintendent’s approval. <\/span>24 <\/span><\/a>P.S.<\/span><\/a> \u00a713-1327 (d)<\/span><\/a>.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are several years of homeschool participation data available. For example, nearly 25,000 students reported homeschooling in 2017, which increased to over 41,000 at the height of the pandemic. Pennsylvania disaggregates homeschool participation by grade, county, and district, offering more robust information on participation trends in the state.<\/p>\n U.S. Census estimates<\/a><\/span> indicate that around 7.3% of Pennsylvania families homeschooled in the spring of 2020 and increased to 10.8% by the fall of 2020. This is comparable to the national average of 11.1% at the time. Based on U.S. Census data<\/a>, our calculations indicate that about 5.57<\/span>% of K-12 students in Pennsylvania<\/span> were homeschooled during the 2022-23 school year, and 6.73<\/span>% during the 2023-24 school year. Due to<\/span> <\/span>survey<\/span> changes<\/span>, the<\/span> data from 2020<\/span> reflects<\/span> the percentage of households, while <\/span>the data from <\/span>following years<\/span> reflect<\/span>s the percentage of<\/span> students<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nDownload Homeschool Hub State Data<\/span><\/a>\n During the 2019-20 academic year, 1.3% of Pennsylvania\u2019s K-12 students were homeschooled. Homeschool participation in the state was much lower than the 12.2% of students attending private schools and the 7.3% of students attending charter schools. In 2021-22, 2.0% of Pennsylvania\u2019s K-12 students were homeschooled, 11.3% attended private schools, and 8.4% attended charter schools.<\/p>\nState Data<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nCross-Sector Comparison<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSchool Choice Context<\/h2>\n