NOTICE: Court case changes requirements for some PA Â kindergarten homeschoolers.
A recent court ruling, Commonwealth v. Kerstetter, (PA Commonwealth, 2013), changes some requirements for home educators. The sole issue of the case involved the statutory interpretation of the phrase compulsory attendance. The final ruling stated that once a child who meets a district’s minimum entrance age is enrolled in a district’s public school kindergarten program, the child is subject to compulsory school attendance.
How does this affect homeschoolers? If a child has been enrolled in kindergarten in a public school , even if school has not yet begun, a formal letter of withdrawal is required. In addition, compliance with the home education law is required. Refer to the MDHSA Law Guide for the information needed to comply, including filing an affidavit and keeping records.