The first thing most parents say when they sit down for a homeschool evaluation is “I’m so nervous.” The second thing is usually an apology for their binder.
So let me say this up front. Your binder is probably fine. A Pennsylvania homeschool evaluation isn’t a test you pass or fail. It’s a conversation about your child’s year, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the work I do. Here’s what to expect and how to get ready without losing your mind in June.
What is a Pennsylvania homeschool evaluation?
Every year, Pennsylvania families using the home education program need an evaluation. A qualified evaluator interviews your child and reviews your portfolio. Then they write a letter certifying whether an appropriate education is happening.
That letter is the only thing you send to your superintendent, and it’s due by June 30. Your portfolio stays with you. Pennsylvania changed that in 2014, so if a friend tells you they had to send their whole binder to the district, that’s the old rule. You can read the details in the Pennsylvania Department of Education home education guide.
Who can do your evaluation?
Pennsylvania lets you choose your own evaluator, as long as they’re qualified. That includes:
- A Pennsylvania certified teacher with at least two years of experience at the level they’re evaluating
- A licensed clinical psychologist or a school psychologist
- A nonpublic school teacher or administrator with at least two years of Pennsylvania teaching experience in the last 10 years
- Someone else, but only with your superintendent’s prior permission
You and your spouse can’t evaluate your own child. It’s your job as the supervisor to make sure your evaluator meets the requirements, so it’s completely fine to ask about their certification and experience.
What I look for in a portfolio
I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for growth and a picture of your child’s year. That usually means:
- A reading log with titles of the books and materials you used
- Work samples from across the year, ideally something from the beginning, middle, and end so we can see progress
- Evidence of the required subjects, which can be photos, projects, field trip notes, or worksheets
- Standardized test results if your child was in grade 3, 5, or 8
Messy handwriting, a few blank weeks, a math unit you abandoned in February? That’s real life. I’ve seen it all, and it doesn’t worry me. What I want to see is a child who is learning.
What happens during the interview
The interview part of a Pennsylvania homeschool evaluation is really just a relaxed conversation. I’ll usually ask your child to show me something they’re proud of, tell me about a book they loved, or read a little aloud. Younger kids often want to show me every single page, and I’m here for it.
If your child is shy or anxious, let your evaluator know ahead of time. A good evaluator will meet your child where they are. I do evaluations both in person and virtually, and some kids honestly do better talking to me from their own couch.
How to prepare for your homeschool evaluation
- Organize your portfolio by subject. A tab for each one is plenty.
- Pull a few samples from the start, middle, and end of the year.
- Make sure your reading log is up to date with titles.
- Add standardized test results if your child is in grade 3, 5, or 8.
- Have a tally of your days or hours handy.
- Let your child pick two or three things they’re proud of to share.
And book early. April and May fill up fast, and you don’t want to be hunting for an evaluator during the last week of June.
If your child has special education needs
If your child needs special education, your home education program has to address their specific needs and be approved by a certified special education teacher or a licensed clinical or certified school psychologist. That approval happens at the start, with your affidavit. I offer that approval too, so you can work with the same person from August to June.
At evaluation time, a lot of families want an evaluator who understands IEP goals, autism, and learning differences, so the evaluation reflects how their child actually learns. I hold Pennsylvania certification in special education and spent a decade teaching in a self-contained autistic support classroom, so this is a group of families I love working with. I evaluate elementary students (K through 6) and students with special education needs from K through 12.
Ready to book your Pennsylvania homeschool evaluation?
If you’re new to all of this, start with my guide to homeschooling in Pennsylvania. If you’re planning ahead for next year, my post on choosing homeschool curriculum is a great next read.
To schedule your evaluation, visit my homeschool family services page or email me at [email protected]. I’d love to celebrate your child’s year with you.