In 2021-22 approx 77,670 scholarships were awarded through the programs below. Only a small fraction of the nearly 2 million students in the state.

• Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)
  • Tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to an Educational Improvement Organization or other specific scholarship organizations.
  • Students whose household annual income is no greater than $112,348 plus additional money for each dependent may qualify to receive a scholarship.
• Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program
  • Tax credits provided to eligible businesses who contribute to an Opportunity Scholarship Organization.
  • Money from the scholarship program is used for low-income students in a low achieving school to attend another public school outside of their district.
• Charter Schools
  • Permitted but under the oversight or the local school board and Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Homeschool laws in Pennsylvania are some of the most stringent in the nation. It is advisable to consult with organizations such as the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) if there are complications.

Here are state laws on the topic of homeschooling:

• The following requirements shall be met.
  • Teacher must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • A notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration that includes the parent/supervisor name, name and age(s) of child, address, and phone number, outline of proposed educational objectives and subject areas, evidence of immunizations or exemption, evidence of health and medical services as required by law, certification that program will comply with legal requirements, and a certification that no one in the home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses.
  • Proivde 180 days or 900 hours at elementary and 990 hours for secondary with the following course requirements:
    • (K-6)—English, Artithmetic, Civics, History of U.S. and PA, Health and physiology, PE, Music, Geography, Science, Art, Safety education.
    • (7-12)—English (language, literature, speech, composition), Math (gen math, geometry, algebra), Social Studies (civics, history of U.S. and PA, world history), Health, PE, Art, Music, Science, Geography, Safety education.
    • High school grad requirements: 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science, 3 years of social studies, 2 years of art and humanities.
  • A portfolio must be maintained and include required, approved testing in 3,5, and 8th.
  • Child must be evaluated by an approved evaluator and certification must be sent to the district superintendent.
• Private Tutor
  • A certified PA tutor may be used.
  • Tutor must file his/her certification and required criminal history record with the superintendent.
• Satellite or Religious Day School
  • If your home is an extension or satellite of a religious day school, homeschooling is permitted.
  • Required hours and subjects as mentioned under homeschooling requirements are required.
  • Notarized affidavit must be filed asserting that the homeschool is in compliance with the laws.
  • Names and addresses of all children must be included.
• Athletics
  • Public school are required to allowed homeschooled students to participate in cocurricular activities including athletics if it is offered in the zoned school.

Religious Exemptions:

There is no standard procedure by which a parent can receive a religious exemption to homeschool.

The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.

It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)