Homeschooling Foster Children & Adopted Children in Pennsylvania

Foster parents and adoptive parents in Pennsylvania often ask the same question: "Can we homeschool this child the same way we homeschool our other kids?" The short answer is yes, it is possible — but the path is different depending on whether the child is still in foster care or whether the adoption has been finalized.

Foster children: shared decision-making with the county

While a child is in foster care, the county Children & Youth Services (CYS) agency — and in many cases the dependency court — shares decision-making authority over major issues, including education. That means you generally cannot unilaterally choose homeschooling for a foster child the way you would for your own biological or adopted child.

In practice, families who want to homeschool a foster child usually need:

• Approval from the child's caseworker at the county Children & Youth agency.
• Buy-in from the child's biological parents, when their rights have not been terminated and they retain educational decision-making.
• Approval from the dependency court in some counties, especially if there is any disagreement among the parties or if the child has an existing IEP.
• A filed Act 169 affidavit, once approval is in place, just like any other PA homeschool family.

Some counties are genuinely supportive of homeschooling foster children, especially when the placement is stable, the child is thriving, and the family has a track record. Others default to public or cyber school because it is the path they know best. Neither response means you have done anything wrong — it reflects how much discretion each county exercises.

Adopted children: full parental rights, standard PA homeschool law

Once an adoption is finalized, you have the same parental rights as any other PA parent. You can homeschool under Act 169 exactly like any other family — file the notarized affidavit by August 1 (or within five days of starting mid-year), maintain a portfolio, complete 180 days or 900/990 hours, and have an annual evaluation.

There is no separate "adoptive family" affidavit, no extra paperwork, and no county sign-off required after finalization. If your child was previously in foster care with you, the transition often feels like exhaling — the dual approval layer simply goes away.

Practical advice for foster families considering homeschooling

1. Talk to your caseworker early. Before the school year starts, before you fall in love with a curriculum. Frame it as a conversation, not an announcement.
2. Be ready to explain why homeschooling is in the child's best interest. Trauma-informed pacing, sensory needs, attachment work, a calmer environment, sibling continuity, medical appointments, therapy schedules — name the specific reasons that apply to this child.
3. Document your homeschooling success. If you already homeschool other children, bring portfolios, evaluator letters, standardized test scores, and your most recent affidavit. Concrete evidence reassures caseworkers and judges more than promises do.
4. Address socialization head-on. List your co-op, sports league, church group, library programs, and community events. This is usually the first concern raised, and answering it before it is asked builds trust.
5. Plan for therapy and visitation around school. Foster children often have weekly therapy, medical appointments, and visitation with biological family. Homeschooling actually accommodates these better than public school — say so, and show the schedule.
6. Honor any existing IEP. If the child arrived with an IEP, the county will want to see that services continue. See our guide to IEPs and 504s for PA homeschoolers for what services remain available while homeschooling.
7. Get decisions in writing. Whether the answer is yes or no, ask for it in an email or court order you can save in your records.

What to do if your county says no

A "no" is not always permanent. Sometimes it reflects unfamiliarity rather than a real objection. If you receive pushback:

• Ask why, specifically, in writing.
• Offer to enroll the child in a part-time program (co-op, cyber school for one subject, tutoring) as a bridge.
• Request a meeting that includes the caseworker's supervisor and, if relevant, the child's guardian ad litem.
• Connect with a PA homeschool legal organization such as CHAP or HSLDA for guidance specific to foster placements.
• Revisit the question after the next permanency review or once the adoption is finalized.

Kinship care and pre-adoptive placements

If you are a kinship caregiver (grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend) or in a pre-adoptive placement, the same general framework applies: while the child is still legally in care, the county shares educational decision-making. Once you become the legal guardian or adoptive parent, you have full authority to homeschool.

A note on tone

Foster and adoptive parents are already doing extraordinary work. Adding "convince the county to let us homeschool" on top of that can feel exhausting. Lead with calm, evidence, and the child's specific needs — and remember that a thoughtful, prepared family is exactly the kind of homeschool advocate who shifts a county's default answer over time.

We're here if you have questions

Every county, every placement, and every child is different. If you have questions about homeschooling a foster child or an adopted child in Pennsylvania, email us at support@pennsole.com — we will do our best to point you toward the right resources.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Foster care decisions are governed by your county Children & Youth agency and the dependency court. For specific situations, consult your caseworker, the child's guardian ad litem, or an attorney experienced in PA dependency and education law.