Homeschool Updates and Warnings for Pennsylvania Families

Homeschooling families in Pennsylvania need to stay informed. Changes in laws and policies can affect your freedom to educate your children. This post covers important updates and warnings every Pennsylvania homeschooler should know. We will discuss medical requirements, school choice, and potential threats to homeschooling freedoms.

Understanding Medical Requirements

Many Pennsylvania homeschoolers have received letters from their school districts about medical, dental, and immunization records. These requests can be confusing.

Here’s what you need to know:

Pennsylvania law requires you to provide evidence your child has been immunized and has received required medical and dental services.
The state says that your signed affidavit or unsworn declaration is proof that you are meeting these requirements.
Some school districts ask for more than just the affidavit. They want actual medical records.

What should you do?

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) now advises families to only submit a notorized affidavit or unsworn declaration.

If you get a certified letter from the superintendent asking for more information, contact HSLDA. They are ready to fight for your rights.

Important Points:

Religious Exemption: If you have a religious exemption for immunizations, you only need to file it once. You do not need to file it every year.
HIPAA does not apply: HIPAA, a law protecting medical information, often does not apply to schools. This means your child’s medical records may not be protected if you give them to the school.
Mistakes Happen: A school district recently sent a homeschool family the wrong student’s medical records. This shows how easily these records can be mishandled.

School Choice and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

School choice is a big topic right now. It is about giving parents more options for their children’s education. One idea is Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). ESAs would allow parents to use public funds for private education expenses, like homeschooling.

What are ESAs?

ESAs would give parents a set amount of money to spend on approved educational expenses. This could include:

Tutoring
Curriculum
Therapy
Online Classes

The Concerns

The Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) and HSLDA are cautious about ESAs. They worry that taking government money could lead to government control.

If the government gives money, it may want to regulate how that money is spent. This could affect the freedom to homeschool as you choose.

A Word of Caution

Private schools that take government funds sometimes face restrictions. One example is that some religious schools were told to remove religious symbols to receive funding.

Think about it: Is the money worth the risk of losing control over your homeschool?

Defending Homeschool Freedom: The “Make Homeschool Safe Act”

A new threat to homeschool freedom is emerging. It’s called the “Make Homeschool Safe Act” (MHSA). This act is promoted by the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). CRHE claims that homeschooling leads to child abuse and neglect. They want stricter regulations on homeschooling.

What would the MHSA do?

The MHSA would roll back homeschool freedoms. It could require:

Home visits
Mandatory testing
Curriculum approval

Where is this happening?

The MHSA has not been passed in any state yet. However, parts of it have been introduced in Virginia and Illinois. Homeschoolers in Illinois are fighting a bill that would criminalize failing to file paperwork.

What can you do?

Get involved: Join CHAP to stay informed about threats to homeschool freedom in Pennsylvania.
Build relationships: Get to know your elected officials.
Attend Capital Day: CHAP’s Capital Day in Harrisburg is a great way to meet your representatives and show them that homeschoolers are responsible and caring people.
Speak Up: By building relationships with your representatives they will recognize that homeschoolers are not extremists.

Stay Informed and Take Action

Homeschooling families in Pennsylvania must stay informed and active. Understand the medical requirements, be aware of the risks and rewards of ESAs, and stand ready to defend your freedom to homeschool.

Take Action Now: