Homeschooling in Carlynton
Parents in Pennsylvania may choose from a number of educational options. In addition to public school and private school, parents may elect to educate their children through private tutoring or home education programs. If parents elect either of these options, the school district must receive specific annual paperwork.
All requirements and details of such programs are provided in the Home Education and Private Tutoring page of the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. The required paperwork is summarized below, along with a brief description of each option.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sara Hoffman, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, at [email protected].
Home Education
Home education programs, sometimes referred to as homeschooling, are led by a parent, guardian, or person having legal custody of a child.
Required documents to be submitted to the school district to the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services by August 1 of each school year includes: a notarized affidavit that includes all required statements regarding the planned program, a list of educational objectives for each student in the home education program, documentation of all required medical/dental screenings and immunizations. Please see the Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide on the PDE website for examples of such documentation.
If a student receiving a home education program has been identified as a student who requires special education, the program must address the specific needs of the exceptional student and be approved by a teacher with a valid certificate from the Commonwealth to teach special education or a licensed clinical or certified school psychologist. This written notification of approval must be submitted with the notarized affidavit.
Parents of children receiving home education programs must maintain a portfolio each year, have an evaluation by a Home Education Evaluator, and submit the evaluation to the school district by June 30 of each school year. Additionally, students in grades 3, 5, and 8 must participate in a qualifying standardized assessment.
Private Tutoring
Private tutoring is another option for satisfying compulsory school attendance requirements. Families hire a private tutor (PA certified teacher) rather than having a parent-directed education for their children.
A parent or guardian may act as a private tutor for their own children if they are a PA certified teacher. Background checks and other regulations apply.
The private tutor must notify the school district of the names and addresses of the students between ages 6 and 18 who will be privately tutored. The tutor must provide a copy of the PA instructional certificate, which will be verified with the state. The certificate need not be active, but must not be subject to any disciplinary status. The tutor must also provide copies of current PA and federal criminal background clearances as well as a PA child abuse clearance. Clearances may not be sent to the district via email.
The parent/guardian of students who will be privately tutored must provide documentation of all medical/dental screenings and immunizations. Please see the Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide on the PDE website for examples of such documentation.
Either the private tutor or the parent must maintain a portfolio to document the private tutoring program.
The private tutor must provide written assurance to the Superintendent that the instructional requirements have been met by June 30 of each school year. Tutors must also report any student who has been absent for 3 or more days during the instructional term without lawful reason.