New Posts  All Forums:
 

Homeschooling in PA

post #1 of 14
1/25/07 at 10:44am
Thread Starter 
We are probably going to move to Pennsylvania this year.

A friend of mine (who doesn't actually live in PA) says that homeschooling is difficult in PA. I read the homeschooling law and it doesn't seem much different from Ohio.

Can anyone in PA give me an overview of what you have to do to be "in compliance"?

Thanks!

Namaste!
Sponsored Links
post #2 of 14
1/25/07 at 11:50am
I'm in Southeast Pennsylvania. Personally, I don't find the requirements here that terrible - a pain in the behind, yes, and I'd certainly prefer that they weren't on the books. They are, though, and I have to deal with them although I think their ickiness is overrated. It's generally a matter of being organized and perhaps a little creative, so I don't think you'll have a problem.

I have a couple links (on another computer, of course) that I'll PM you in the next day or so. There is one organization that I can steer you to with confidence and one I want to warn you away from, so please watch for that.

And congrats on your move! I love living here - we moved away twice, each time for three years, and keep coming back. I think this time it's for good.
post #3 of 14
1/25/07 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Do the kids HAVE to be standardized tested in grades 3, 5, and 8? There seems to be some debate about that on the homeschool list I found.

I look forward to the links!

Namaste!
post #4 of 14
1/25/07 at 2:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dharmamama View Post
Do the kids HAVE to be standardized tested in grades 3, 5, and 8? There seems to be some debate about that on the homeschool list I found.

I look forward to the links!

Namaste!
The tests are mandatory. I guess the debate comes in because you decide what grade your dc is in and some people decide their dc is in second grade, then skips them to fourth in order to avoid the tests. There is potential trouble in doing that because the school district might give you a hard time, making things unpleasant. I don't have any real life experience since ds is only 5 and I don't have to file until he is 8. I have heard that I happen to live in a school district that doesn't require a portfolio.
post #5 of 14
1/25/07 at 4:04pm
One nice thing in PA is you don't have to start jumping through hoops til age 8/third grade. So, I really haven't had to do anything yet.
post #6 of 14
2/1/07 at 1:51am
Id like to know more about this too...I have a 3.5 yr old that I will probably homeschool
post #7 of 14
2/1/07 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dharmamama View Post
Do the kids HAVE to be standardized tested in grades 3, 5, and 8? There seems to be some debate about that on the homeschool list I found.

I look forward to the links!

Namaste!
we just moved to PA from MD (which is an easy state). It is manadtory that you submit test scores for your children from those years. However, it is really easy to work within the law and still homeschool in a way that works for you. We are unschoolers, and do things fairly different than is "expected" but I use the "educationalese" and have found a great evaluator that is also an unschooling mama. SHe has been invaluable in working through the legalities of hs'ing in PA.
post #8 of 14
2/1/07 at 11:55am
Thread Starter 
I refuse to have my kids standardized tested. I flat out refuse. I was wondering whether, for those years that they are supposed to be tested, I could enroll them in a private umbrella school so that technically they are private school students rather than homeschoolers? Would they still have to submit test scores?

Namaste!
post #9 of 14
2/1/07 at 11:57am
Unfortunately, I don't think that would work. As far as I know, even private and umbrella schools need to comply with the state law for testing. If it helps, it doesn't count for anything. They can't look at your child's scores and say, "Oops, sorry, you're not doing well enough, you can't homeschool anymore." Personally, I plan on treating it like a fun exercise in filling in dots.
post #10 of 14
2/1/07 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by annettemarie View Post
If it helps, it doesn't count for anything. They can't look at your child's scores and say, "Oops, sorry, you're not doing well enough, you can't homeschool anymore." Personally, I plan on treating it like a fun exercise in filling in dots.
Hmmm. I know that in Ohio, if you are homeschooling and you opt to have your kids tested, they must test at the 25th percentile or above.

So, what are the implications for a child getting into college if all their standardized test scores are zero?

How is the test handled? I don't even want to have to take my kids somewhere where they must sit through a test.

Namaste!
post #11 of 14
2/1/07 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dharmamama View Post
Hmmm. I know that in Ohio, if you are homeschooling and you opt to have your kids tested, they must test at the 25th percentile or above.

So, what are the implications for a child getting into college if all their standardized test scores are zero?

How is the test handled? I don't even want to have to take my kids somewhere where they must sit through a test.

Namaste!
Do colleges even see those scores? I didn't think they did.
post #12 of 14
2/1/07 at 4:24pm
I'm interested in this too. I'm subscribing!
post #13 of 14
2/1/07 at 4:39pm
Look into Upattinas School. My step-daughter went there. They are a democratic school, but they are also an umbrella school for homeschoolers and they do not do standardized testing. It's what I would use were I still in PA.
post #14 of 14
2/1/07 at 4:51pm
I pretty sure the parent can administer the test. I don't think you have to take them someplace.
Here's a link people may find helpful.
http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/index.html

This is the part about testing.
http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/...oltesting.html