Homeschool Law Reflection!

Sometimes I have to smile when I think of how it was to homeschool in PA prior to the homeschool law, Act 1988-169.  In the pioneering days of homeschooling, our fears centered on Child Services knocking on our door, being questioned by mall security when shopping, and neighbors reporting us to the “proper authorities” because our children were playing in our yard during school hours.  Locally there were cases of harassment.  However, there were documented cases, especially in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas, where parents were jailed because they homeschooled their children.  Times have definitely changed! 

The Pennsylvania home school law, Act 1988-169, also referred to as Act 169, gives the legal right for parents in Pennsylvania to home school their children.  Along with the right to homeschool in the state of Pennsylvania, comes legal requirements.  There are many excellent sites, such as the Christian Homeschool Association of PA (CHAP) that clearly states what you must do and when.

Below is a copy of Act 169 along with samples of the required affidavit, and educational objectives by subject.  (Reminder, if your child has an IEP, the objectives must be pre-approved by a qualified person.)

Downloads

These are the required subjects to be taught:

(1) At the elementary school level, the following courses shall be taught:
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.

(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. Such courses of study may include, at the discretion of the supervisor of the home education program, economics; biology; chemistry; foreign languages; trigonometry; or other age-appropriate courses as contained in Chapter 5 (Curriculum Requirements) of the State Board of Education.

Quick quiz:
There are differing interpretations for Act 169.  Whose interpretation has the most authority?

1.  Department of Education?
2.  A seasoned homeschool evaluator?
3.  CHAP Board Member?
4.  A long-standing homeschool association president?
5.  Home School Legal Defense Representative?
6.  Local School District?

Answer:  Local School District   If a case would go to court, a judge would have the final authority