PA Homeschool Law — Changelog
A dated record of every change to Pennsylvania's homeschool statute and to the compliance guidance Pennsole shows you. We cite the underlying law so you can verify it yourself.
Annual affidavit window opens for the 2025–2026 school year
Supervisors must file the notarized homeschool affidavit, educational objectives, and proof of immunizations with the resident district superintendent before instruction begins, and by August 1 if continuing. Pennsole now surfaces a per-district countdown on the dashboard.
Portfolio + evaluator certification deadline confirmed
PDE guidance reiterates that the year-end portfolio and evaluator's written certification of an appropriate education are due to the superintendent by June 30. Many districts request earlier submission — check your district policy in /find-district.
24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(e.1)
Act 196 of 2014 — parents may issue a high-school diploma
Act 196 amended the Public School Code to allow the supervising parent to issue a diploma to a homeschool graduate upon successful completion of the secondary program. PDE-approved diploma programs remain an option.
Act 39 of 2014 — major streamlining of Act 169
Act 39 eliminated the requirement to submit the full portfolio to the superintendent; only the evaluator's written certification is required. Notarization remains required for the affidavit. This is the single biggest reduction in paperwork burden since 1988.
Act 169 of 1988 — Pennsylvania's homeschool statute
The original home education law: 180 days / 900 elementary or 990 secondary hours, required subjects, annual evaluator certification, portfolio requirement, and standardized testing in grades 3, 5, and 8.
Act 169 of 1988