Families who homeschool their children are required to see that a comprehensive medical record is maintained for each child of compulsory school age. You may maintain the record, you may ask the school district to perform the services and maintain the record, or you may obtain the services from a physician or dentist and allow the professional to maintain the record. You may however, exempt your child from these exams on religious grounds. (See below for more information on medical exemption and the law.)
Below is student heath schedule as mandated by PA Department of Health.
| Service | K or 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Special Education |
| Medical Examination | X | X | X | As Needed | |||||||||
| Dental Examination | X | X | X | As Needed | |||||||||
| Growth Screen | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Vision Screen | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Hearing Screen* | X | X | X | X | X | As Needed | |||||||
| Scoliosis Screen | X | X | |||||||||||
| Tuberculine Test (unless approved to discontinue) |
X | X | Age Appropriate |
*The home education law requires periodic hearing checks (upon entry into a home education program and in 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 11th grades). You can do the hearing online at http://www.handtronix.com/. Some software may need to be downloaded.
If you have further questions regarding the medical requirements you may visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education home page and click on frequently asked questions. http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/home_education_and_private_tutoring/20311
If you have chosen to obtain the services, you can do any of the following:
1. Submit the statement from the doctor (immunization records, health report, dental report)
2. Submit a statement with your affidavit stating that your child has received the required medical services, including immunizations. This should be signed and you may choose to have it signed by the doctor/dentist as well.
3.Object to filing the information with the school district, even though you may have obtained the services, on religious grounds. This will require a statement (and possibly ought to be notarized).
4. If you are a member of HSLDA, they will contact the school district and explain to them that the affidavit is sufficient evidence that you have provided the services for your child. This usually keeps the school district administration from requesting any more information.
5. You may choose to write a letter similar to what HSLDA would write, or obtain the services of a private lawyer to do so.
Medical Exemption
If you choose to exempt your child from these medical examinations on religious grounds you should include a statement (notarized) of your exemption with your affidavit. View a sample Medical Exemption Form
PA 28§ 23.84. Exemption for immunization.
(a) Medical exemption. Children need not be immunized if a physician or designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.
(b) Religious exemption. Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.
Religious Exemption (b) (Includes a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.)
Parent or guardian of the above name child adheres to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to such immunizations OR holds a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief that is opposed to such immunizations.
If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Mary Hudzinski, blufroghollow@pa.net
Sample Medical Exemption Letter: This is a sample medical exemption form that you may submit to the state.
To Whom It May Concern,
I am the parent or guardian of _________________________ and I object to the following procedures for my children on religious grounds or on the basis of strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.
_______ Immunizations
_______ Medical Examinations
_______ Dental Examinations
Sincerely,
____________________________ ________________
Signature Date