WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN ACTION?
PARTNERSHIP
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FREEDOM
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EXPLORATION
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What does the OC Curriculum look like?
What do the young people do when they are not at OC?
What about tests?
What happens after Open Connections?
What type of youth is a good fit?
What type of youth is a good fit?
Is there homework?
What do they do all day?
Resources for the LEgal Side of home Education
What does the PA Law say?
What do we file at the start?
What are the year-end requirements?
From PDE: "During the school year, the supervisor maintains a portfolio of records and materials, demonstrating that an appropriate education is occurring. An appropriate education is defined as "a program consisting of instruction in the required subjects for the time required in this act and in which the student demonstrates sustained progress in the overall program." The portfolio evaluation certifies whether an appropriate education occurred.
- What: A written evaluation by a qualified evaluator must be submitted for each student. See the Home Education Evaluators section regarding a qualified evaluator.
- Who: The evaluation must be submitted by the home education supervisor to the superintendent of the school district of residence.
- When: The evaluation must be submitted by June 30 of each year for full year programs and should be submitted at the end of the program for those programs that do not take place for an entire school year.
- Basis: The evaluation must consist of a portfolio review and interview with the student.
- Contents: The evaluation must certify whether an appropriate education is occurring for that student.
- Law: See 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(e),(h.1)."
- Portfolio Evaluations: OC helps connect families with evaluators who are familiar with OC programs.
What about the standardized testing requirement?
"The law requires that homeschooled students take the statewide tests or other authorized tests in grades 3, 5, and 8 without exception. The results must be reported in the portfolio; they are not reported to the school district. PDE publishes a list of acceptable alternative tests on the Home Education and Private Tutoring homepage." (source)
For youth enrolled at Open Connections: Open Connections offers a half-day “test prep” in March in order to familiarize both parents and youth with what to expect if they take their state-required 3rd, 5th, and 8th grade test(s) at OC, including a chance to practice and ask questions about both the process and the content of such tests. We have found these preparatory experiences to be incredibly helpful in reducing anxiety levels and in providing insight into which areas, if any, a family might wish to practice more on their own. We administer the tests in May in a relaxed manner that allows for young people to fulfill the state requirement in a comfortable setting. Note: There is a small fee associated with this service.
What is the starting age for filing?
From PDE: Effective with the 2020-21 school year, a child must comply with compulsory attendance requirements from age six (6) to age eighteen (18). Specifically, a child who has attained the age of six (6) on or before September 1 must enroll and attend school or begin a home education program that year. A home education program must be documented and evaluated to account for all schooling during that time.
