Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Hi, my name is Lori and I homeschool in Pennsylvania! I have been a homeschooling mom since my son was born and have never looked back. I love spending time with my family and seeing life through their eyes. My Bachelor of Science is in English and Secondary Education from East Stroudsburg University. In addition to homeschooling we are running our own business, attempting to plant a garden so we can live off the land, taking care of my ailing grandmother, and learning to be computer savvy.
If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Parent Forum.
Pennsylvania Homeschooling Resources
For more information on specific homeschooling requirements in Pennsylvania, visit one of these sites:
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Legal disclaimer: This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory homeschooling requirements in Pennsylvania. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
Pennsylvania Home School Resources
Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of Pennsylvania homeschool resources available. There are four statewide organizations, Catholic Homeschoolers of Pennsylvania, Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Home Education Network, and Pennsylvania Home Educators Association/ They are specifically designed to support homeschooling in PA. There are also yearly homeschool conferences throughout the state. Many counties in Pennsylvania have at least one local support group for homeschoolers, as well. We've listed a few of the starting points for finding out more about homeschooling resources in Pennsylvania:
Homeschooling in the Keystone State
Although I have heard Pennsylvania is a
difficult
state to homeschool in, I think it depends on your district. There are not many homeschoolers here and my district is helpful. I do not find the state guidelines too
difficult, however, their testing requirements seem to be confusing. They require standardized testing in grades 3,5, and 8. Many districts ask for testing at all grade levels and are not informed on the law. Our state requires medical, dental, and hearing tests before a child can be enrolled in a homeschool program.
In addition, we must meet with an evaluator each year to review the progress that has been made. To meet the requirements of Pennsylvania, our family keeps a portfolio of my children's work which includes writing samples, books they have read, activities, and many other items. I also have a daily calendar or journal which documents our day. My son will not have to be tested until next year so we have not seen whether or not that will be difficult. As a homeschooling mom, I make sure he is up to par with the educational requirements for each grade level.
Finding Local Homeschool Support in Pennsylvania
We are currently involved with Yahoo Groups as a homeschool networking site. Here we find many activities with homeschoolers and in the community. Also, the local YMCA has planned games which involve all ages and skill levels. At our local library, we have a group which is just forming. As we are in such a rural area, it has been challenging to get a localized meeting place. I think we have this accomplished, but it is a "newbie" group. There are a lot of other state and local support groups in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as many resources for information.
What Our Homeschool Day Looks Like
Most homeschooling days begin around 9:00 a.m. By this time, we have sent dad to work and have taken care of breakfast and pets. We may have even gotten out of our p.j.'s. My son starts a fairly routine schedule of reading, guitar, Spanish, a writing lesson, and then Time4Learning(which he loves) curriculum . During this time, my preschooler does crafts, coloring, and other activities.
We always have a snack and exercise break so we can recharge and get out some energy. If I have banking or errands to run, we will do them after school. I think kids should really see how life works as a whole. These daily activities are great learning
opportunities.
My son has an active part in choosing which books to read and which reports or experiments he would like to perform. We try to be organized and scheduled while being flexible enough to throw it all out and start over.
Pennsylvania Homeschool Laws
Homeschooling families have thre options for homeschooling in the state of Pennsylvania:
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Operating under the “Home School Statute"
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Operating under a “Private Tutor”
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Operating under the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom Protection Act (RFPA).
Choosing Homeschool Curriculum
Pennsylvania homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool programs.. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool programs, trying to create the best match for their child.
For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool programs can even be more problematic. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.
Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.
Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:
- Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multimedia materials.
- Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
- Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing each lesson. Quizzes and tests are graded by the computer, saving valuable time and effort for parents who would be happier concentrating on other areas.
- Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.
- Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children, <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/program/faq.html#guarantee">satisfaction guaranteed</a>! Sign up
- Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.
If you have questions about homeschooling in Pennsylvania, or want to learn more about our experiences in the state, you can contact me in the Parent forum at The Pennsylvania Homeschool Section at luv2learn.
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