Just remember, there is info on websites, and then different scenarios when you talk to them. Change comes slow, but it does happen with education of those making decisions. :-)

Well, my view is that if PA home educated students do not need to take the GED, then it would be discriminatory if they required other states to do such. :-) In PA, the "supervisor" is the parent. So every homeschooler has a supervisor issued diploma. I'm sure that colleges are not astute enough to realize that no other state has high school graduation requirements in their law or that only a few have evaluators. I would just go in with confidence with a parent issued transcript. But if you do have problems, I could probably help. maryalice

I did look up their policy on their website. I would love to speak to someone who is revising the homeschool policy. With the new law, a parent in PA can issue a diploma (with the evaluator's signature) that has all of the rights and benefits of a high school diploma. 24 PS 13-1327.1(d.1) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this act or any other law or regulation to the contrary, a high school diploma awarded by a supervisor or an approved diploma-granting organization shall be considered as having all the rights and privileges afforded by the Commonwealth, a Commonwealth agency, including, but not limited to, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, a political subdivision, a local agency and an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision to a high school diploma awarded under this act" Don't take the GED. :-) Here is what the Drexel website says currently: "At the time of application, a homeschooled student must present a transcript from an accredited school or homeschool program. Applicants who are not participating in an accredited program must submit GED results in order to be considered for admission." Ironically, because they do not know what they are talking about, any of the PA homeschool (state recognized) diploma programs are NOT accredited. I suspect that they were misinformed on homeschooling and homeschool diplomas to even have those words. If you have any trouble, I have written and spoken to MANY colleges and cleared things up. I represent PHEA, Pennsylvania Home Educators Association. maryalice

Gov Wolf announced that clearance fees will be waived for volunteers. I don't believe that it solves the problem of a law that was too intrusive in the first place. The law didn't get fixed. They are just quieting the complaints until we are all in the database. I believe that there is legal argument that only co-ops who are for-profit, 501c3, or 501c7 need clearances in the first place. maryalice

First of all, I really don't think is about the money. Paying $20 every 3 years is not going to break most families. It is about the government intervention/control in too many areas. Here is an example: Four families meet once a week with their children at one of the family's house. Mary, and her friends Sue, Pat and Jean are all friends. One teaches the kids music, another art, another kitchen chemistry, etc. They must get clearances, go through training and the person in charge (um, who is that since there is no one particular) is prosecutable with a misdemeanor if they don't get all of the clearances. My personal opinion, that is ridiculous. This is the government intrusion we are objecting to. If a person is dropping their kiddos off in unknown territory with unfamiliar people, OF COURSE, I would want to know that they have been cleared of child abuse. ( I probably wouldn't be dropping them off for that activity anyway.) I have the choice to go to that "co-op" or not. With the new law, there is no choice for clearances. The PA Dept of Ed is NOT supporting homeschool co-ops require clearances. By the way, there are 23 new laws enacted because of the Sandusky child abuse case. Ironically, this particular law would not have prevented Sandusky from doing anything.

I had a “person in the know†call me today (sorry, but the source said s/he must be anonymous). We need to act immediately with phone calls and emails to Rep. Dan Moul on behalf of our homeschool co-ops. Even if you don’t belong to one, we need your help. Act 153 of 2014 demands almost any adult in contact with children to get clearances. This is a good thing, except that it is excessive government involvement. This is affecting homeschool co-ops. Some co-ops have been told to shut down or get clearances for everyone. The prime sponsor of the bill, Rep Dan Moul, is working on policies, which will provide the necessary scope of this bill. Although getting a legislative exemption is unlikely given the political climate, getting a policy guide is highly doable. Here’s what everyone needs to do. PLEASE contact Rep. Dan Moul and respectfully ask him to exclude homeschool co-ops from requiring clearances of parents. 1) You can explain your co-op, or explain that a co-op is a group of parents coming together to share teaching of children. 2) Co-ops are wonderful learning experiences for homeschool children and are being told to shut down. 3) Parents are with their children and others. 4) Homeschoolers have already signed a notarized affidavit saying that no one in their household has committed a whole list of felonies (per the home education law) 5) It is costly for homeschool families. Keep it real. Keep it to your own words. But do something. Contact info: Capitol Hon. Dan Moul G32 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202091 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2091 (717) 783-5217 Fax: (717) 772-5499 E-mail: dmoul@pahousegop.com District Hon. Dan Moul 30 West Middle Street Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717) 334-3010 (866) 646-4915 Fax: (717) 334-8426

Pittsburgh, PA 1. Great museums - Carnegie Museums - Science, History, Art, Sports, Heinz History Center 2. Great culture - Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Symphony, Civil Light Opera (broadway plays), real Opera, etc. The head of the Pittsburgh Ballet once told me that Pittsburgers attend more cultural events than sports. 3. Sports - Steelers, Pirates, Penguins (and some arena football team???) 4. Colleges - Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Carlow, California University (PA), Point Park, St. Vincent, Seton Hill, and others I can't think of. 5. Top Hospitals in the country (and med schools) 6. Skiing within an hour drive 7. Hiking - always with its hills and parks 8. Historical places - From the French-Indian war to the Civil War 9. Fall colors! And the best homeschool law in the country, since the changes in 2014. (sorry creekland, and you just retired too.) :-)

hmm, well, if I hadn't confronted Sen. Ward last year about 2 bills (SB32 and SB517 of 2013), all homeschoolers would have annual mandatory home visits by CPS. A whole committee thought that they were doing their job and protecting all children. She saw the error in her thinking and pulled her bill and support from a bill she was co-sponsoring. We have great mutual respect after our discussion. As citizens, we should always be willing to let our legislators know our views.

Suzanne Tallman (PDE) called and we spoke about these issues with the diploma. She is well aware of HSLDA's concerns. Other than typos, she will not be changing anything. I personally don't care what the form looks like as long as the discrimination stops at PHEAA and Penn State, Pitt and anywhere else that there have been issues. I made fancy diplomas (gold foil border paper from office max, fancy font, etc.) for my kids and they were never used. I think that we need to remember that it is not the paper that gives us rights, but the words in the law.

I'm going to hold off with any legislative attempts. There is just too much to consider. The political atmosphere is not ripe for an amendment. Suzanne is certain that their recommendation to Dept HS will stand firm. She is retiring and there is no replacement, btw.

I'm going to hold off with any legislative attempts. There is just too much to consider. The political atmosphere is not ripe for an amendment. Suzanne is certain that their recommendation to Dept HS will stand firm. She is retiring and there is no replacement, btw.

I have been corresponding with those who can do something.... On Fri, Feb 20, 2015 at 2:16 PM, ED, Home Education <RA-home-education@pa.gov> wrote: I am writing to you because you have contacted me at some time in the past regarding questions or comments having to do with homeschooling. This email is regarding the recent laws that have been passed having to do with background checks for those who work with children or volunteer time with children. There has been considerable discussion between our state agencies on whether adult participants in homeschool co-ops should be included in the requirement for background checks. We in the School Services Office recommended that homeschool co-ops NOT be required to obtain these. As of this writing, it appears our recommendation will be followed. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! Suzanne Subject: Re: Alert regarding co-ops and background checks! To: "ED, Home Education" <RA-home-education@pa.gov> Suzanne,Although I respect the efforts of PDE and the School Services Office to have put forth their recommendation, I do not trust that other elected or unelected officials will not, in the future, present problems for homeschool co-ops. I propose a legislation solution, an exemption, with the following words: Exempt coordinated volunteer home education program supervisors (per 24 PS 13-1327.1) who are in attendance in co-operative learning organizations with their children. This is similar to other situations where legislative exemptions were necessary for clarification. ie. Act 48 of 1999 (continuing education requirements for educators) and Act 35 of 2001 (exempting home education program evaluators). Do you have any further thoughts? maryalice

I would seriously direct all of these questions to the PA Dept of Human Services. And tell them that the law is far too reaching. :-)

justasque had some insightful dialogue. However, I am sorry to say, this is NOT going to happen. (sigh) This law is here to stay. Exemptions "may" be entertained if the right politics is played.

I would evaluate each situation. From reading the law and the Fact Sheet on volunteers, here are the major points. 1. Is an adult acting in lieu of a parent? OR 2. Does the adult have direct contact with a child (provide care, supervision, guidance or control)? OR 3. Does the adult have routine interaction (regular, ongoing, integral to volunteer responsibilities)? If you answer YES to any of them, then clearances ARE required. So, a birthday party... First off, I would say that under common sense, a parent giving a birthday party is not a volunteer in an organization. Secondly, I would say NO to all of the above. Under the law, I would say that employees of places that offer birthday party venues (like Chuckee Cheese) would need clearances.