How the Homeschool Law changed in 2015:
1. You no longer turn in your portfolio to your school district. Instead, by June 30 you just turn in the evaluation letter written by your evaluator.
2. You no longer turn in your test scores. If you tested your children, your test scores go into your portfolio which is not turned in to your superintendent, just to your evaluator.
3. Expanded evaluator responsibilities. The evaluator can be held responsible if a judge later finds that you did not give your child an appropriate education or it comes out in court that you did not test, keep a log, or keep a portfolio.
4. You and your evaluator can give a recognized diploma. If your student meets the requirements of the home education law, you and your evaluator can give your student a diploma on a form available on the PA Department of Education’s website. That diploma will be recognized for state scholarship grants for higher education and other legal purposes.
5. Homeschool Diploma Organizations are More Secure. Homeschool organization diplomas, once recognized only by policy, are now recognized by law. These organizations will continue to award recognized diplomas, maintain standards, keep records, mail transcripts, and verify graduation.
6. School Superintendent investigation can go no further than evaluator. If a school superintendent has a reason to believe that you are not giving your child an education, his or her investigation can go no further than your evaluator.
For a full guide to all the homeschool law, see http://phaa.org/lawguide.pdf