ChoiceFunded What your state pays

Homeschooling in Pennsylvania: what the law requires and who pays

Section 1327(d) of the Public School Code says instruction in a home education program under section 1327.1 complies with the compulsory attendance law. We have not found an official source saying a Pennsylvania program pays homeschooled students.

Quoted from official sources, read October 8, 2026. A law summary, not legal advice.

What Pennsylvania’s law requires

The law that allows it

Section 1327(d) of the Public School Code says instruction in a home education program under section 1327.1 complies with the compulsory attendance law.

“Instruction to children of compulsory school age provided in a home education program, as provided for in section 1327.1 of this act, shall be considered as complying with the provisions of this section” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327 (24 P.S. 13-1327), compulsory school attendance

Telling the state or district

Before starting, and every year after by August 1, the parent files a notarized affidavit with the superintendent of the school district of residence. It names the supervisor and each child, gives the address, states the required subjects are offered in English with an outline of education objectives by subject, and includes immunization and health evidence.

“filed prior to the commencement of the home education program and annually thereafter on August 1 with the superintendent of the school district of residence” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

The supervisor also certifies that the supervisor, all adults living in the home and those with legal custody have not been convicted of listed criminal offenses in the past five years.

“have not been convicted of the criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (e) of section 111 within five years immediately preceding the date of the affidavit” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

The department says district approval is not needed to begin a home education program once all the paperwork has been filed.

“school district approval is not required to commence a home education program when all necessary paperwork has been filed” Pennsylvania Department of Education, Basic Education Circular: Home Education Program, 24 P.S. 13-1327.1

What and how long to teach

A home education program meets the attendance law if it provides at least 180 days or 900 hours of instruction a year at the elementary level, or 990 hours at the secondary level.

“provides a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days of instruction or nine hundred (900) hours of instruction per year at the elementary level, or nine hundred ninety (990) hours per year at the secondary level” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

Elementary subjects include English (spelling, reading and writing), arithmetic, science, geography, U.S. and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety education, health and physiology, physical education, music and art. The law lists a longer set for secondary grades.

“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” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

Testing or evaluation

In grades 3, 5 and 8 the portfolio must include results of nationally normed standardized tests in reading/language arts and math, or the statewide tests. The parent may not give the test.

“The supervisor shall ensure that the nationally normed standardized tests or the Statewide tests shall not be administered by the child's parent or guardian.” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

Each year a licensed psychologist, a Pennsylvania certified teacher, or a qualified nonpublic school teacher or administrator interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and certifies whether an appropriate education is occurring.

“shall certify whether or not an appropriate education is occurring” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

The department says the evaluation report goes to the district of residence by June 30 each year.

“for each homeschooled student to the district of residence on or prior to June 30th of the year to comply with PA Home Education Law” Pennsylvania Department of Education, Basic Education Circular: Home Education Program, 24 P.S. 13-1327.1

Records to keep

The portfolio is a log made at the time of instruction listing reading materials by title, plus samples of the student's writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials.

“The portfolio shall consist of a log, made contemporaneously with the instruction, which designates by title the reading materials used” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

Who may teach

The supervisor is the parent, guardian or legal custodian responsible for instruction, who must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

“provided that such person has a high school diploma or its equivalent” Public School Code of 1949, section 1327.1 (24 P.S. 13-1327.1), home education program

Ages the law covers

Compulsory school age runs from when parents choose to start school, no later than age 6, until age 18.

“shall be no later than six (6) years of age until the child reaches eighteen (18) years of age” Public School Code of 1949, section 1326 (24 P.S. 13-1326), definitions

The state’s own page for families: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Home Education and Private Tutoring.

State money for homeschoolers in Pennsylvania

We have not found an official source saying a Pennsylvania program pays homeschooled students.

Pennsylvania EITC / OSTC: amount and how to apply Private schools in Pennsylvania

Which states pay homeschoolers, and how: Pennsylvania next to every other state.

Questions parents ask

Do I have to tell anyone I am homeschooling in Pennsylvania?

Before starting, and every year after by August 1, the parent files a notarized affidavit with the superintendent of the school district of residence. It names the supervisor and each child, gives the address, states the required subjects are offered in English with an outline of education objectives by subject, and includes immunization and health evidence. The supervisor also certifies that the supervisor, all adults living in the home and those with legal custody have not been convicted of listed criminal offenses in the past five years. The department says district approval is not needed to begin a home education program once all the paperwork has been filed.

Do homeschoolers in Pennsylvania have to take tests?

In grades 3, 5 and 8 the portfolio must include results of nationally normed standardized tests in reading/language arts and math, or the statewide tests. The parent may not give the test. Each year a licensed psychologist, a Pennsylvania certified teacher, or a qualified nonpublic school teacher or administrator interviews the child, reviews the portfolio and certifies whether an appropriate education is occurring. The department says the evaluation report goes to the district of residence by June 30 each year.

Can a homeschooler in Pennsylvania get state money?

We have not found an official source saying a Pennsylvania program pays homeschooled students.

Every line above is our plain-English summary of the quoted text, which is copied from the official page named beside it. Laws change: the quoted page is the authority, and a lawyer or the state can answer questions about your family.

Homeschool law in other states

All states and the programs that pay homeschoolers

What your state pays Find schools