Last updated: 12/07/2023
Check this page frequently for news updates that could affect your homeschooling rights and privileges.
February, 2022: House Bill 1041: Homeschool Hybrid Educational Access Act
Introduced by Representative Jesse Topper, this act would amend the law to permit students in home education programs to participate in academic classes as well as extracurricular activities in the school districts in which they reside. This legislation would also permit homeschooling students to participate in co-curricular programs and vocational-technical schools as well. For more information, visit Pennsylvania General Assembly Bill Information.
NOTE: This is now Act 55 and will take effect in the 2023-2024 school year. Read this article for more information about this option.
PA Home Education Law Changes
Below is a list of legislative changes or legal actions that have changed or impacted the PA Home Education Law. The information is listed in chronological order, newest to oldest. Click on a link for more detailed information. Any title in BOLD letters is still currently applicable to homeschoolers.
PA Constitutional Amendments passed by PA voters – May 2021
Compulsory Attendance Age Law Change effective – 2020
PA Health Department announces temporary suspension of requirements for children’s immunizations. Effective until two months after the beginning of the school year in 2020
COVID-19: Waiving of Homeschool Requirements – March 2020
List of Standardized Tests Accepted by the PDE as of 2020
Receiving Social Security: Child’s Benefits – 2018
Act 196 of 2014 – Changes in the PA homeschooling Law
Kindergarten Homeschoolers Who Were Enrolled in a Public School – 2014
(Court decision requires formal withdrawal from school and compliance with Home Education Law for homeschooled students who had been enrolled in a public school.)
*Compulsory Attendance Age and 8 year olds – 2013
(*This has been replaced by the 2020 Compulsory Attendance Age Law change.)
*Pennsylvania SB 32 – 2013
(*Failed to pass)
Common Core – Federal Education Standard – 2009
(Brief discussion of why Common Core is objectionable.)
Out of State Diplomas – 2009
(PDE reverses decision to allow diploma programs to issue out-of-state diplomas)
*Diploma requirements for Compulsory School Age 17 & Older – 2008
*Replaced by Act 196 of 2014 and by Compulsory Attendance Age Law Change of 2020
Equal Access Law of 2006
Homeschooled students are granted the right to participate in extracurricular activities in the school district in which they reside.
No Child Left Behind: Homeschoolers Excluded – 2002
Notice Regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Website
Since the origination of the PA Home Education and Private Tutoring Provisions of the Public School Code, many home-educators have had problems with school districts concerning different areas of the Law. On the PDE’s website, a lot of these issues were addressed and clarifications were made so that there would be no future misunderstandings. Some of the clarifications were acceptable. Some of these clarifications do not agree the PA Home Education Law. PLEASE do NOT interpret what the PDE has posted on their website as the Law, but refer to the actual language of the Home Education Law for what the Law actually states and form your own interpretation of the law.