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Question re: American School and Pennsylvania regs...


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We are a military family currently stationed in Alaska. We are due to move this Spring/Summer and at this point, it looks like we will be moving to PA. I have done some research and will admit I'm quite nervous about all of the regulations that PA requires. We are currently schooling through an Alaskan Distance Education program where I provide all the instruction and have limited reporting that is required. My DD14 has to submit quarterly progress reports and work samples. She also has the annual state testing that is required. We are residents of Alaska, and will choose to keep this residency status.

 

I am looking into American School, as DD just wants to finish up her high school and move on with life. From what I see, she will earn her HS diploma through AS and then plan to attend a JR or Community college for a couple years.

 

Question:

 

1. How does AS work with PA's compulsory education requirements? I'm not seeing anything in their education regulations that fits this situation. I could very well be missing the forrest for the trees, though.

 

2. There is a lot of information for PA residents...if we are maintaining our Alaskan residency (again we are active duty military) then do all the school regulations not apply, even if we are living in the state?

 

I have read many of the posts in this forum and appreciate the wisdom and advice that is represented here. Looking forward to some feedback. Thanks!

 

____

Sherilin

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I don't know how that program would woprk, but PA laws aren't as difficult as some people make them out to be.

 

And FYI: PA has "compulsory attendance" not "compulosry education". LOL- they have to show up- but they don't have to learn anything. :svengo:

 

Again I have no idea how things work for military or other temporary residents. Let's just pretend that because you live here even temporarily that you have to follow the PA law. (You might or might not- but if you do...)

 

When you begin, file your notarized affidavit and include your objectives. These can be VERY general- as in "Improve computation skills" rather than daily detailed lesson plans following the state standards for math. KWIM?

 

Then you go about the rest of your school year just as you would if you were still in Alaska or even on the moon. Before the end of the year (June 30) you get an evaluation (don't stress over this- they range from free minimalist evaluations that fulfill the law to expensive comprehensive page-by-page critiques of your school- YOU pay the evaluator, YOU pick one who fits your school philosophy.) Your pick out a few samples of work for the portfolio- I turn in about a dozen double-sided pages printed on the ink-saver setting. If yur kids are in grades 3, 5, or 8 you submit standardized test results- a list of allowed tests can be found online.

 

That's it- no big deal. So even if you have to abide by PA law, you probably won't have to do anythign different- just jump through en extra hoop or two.

 

oh- and remember: PA DOES insist we provide "regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires" :glare: All other subjects listed- we have the freedom to teach any way at any time.

 

Good luck- let me know if you'll be my neighbior in SW PA!

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Sorry about the spelling error - didn't double check before I submitted. Really...I do know how to spell. :p

 

Good to know (from someone who is there) that it isn't as bad as I imagine it to be. You'd think after 16+ years living the Army life that I'd be used to change and take to it more readily. {sigh} If we do get to move there, we'll be around the Carlisle area. My husband will be affiliated with ROTC somehow at Dickinson College.

 

I noticed the "dangers and prevention of fires"...interesting!

 

Any other thoughts?

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On the question of which laws to follow, that is well established. You follow the education laws for whatever state you are living in. It has nothing to do with your home of record or state of residence.

 

You might check if the base you're headed to has a School Liaison Officer. Many SLO's have added helping homeschoolers with transitions and access to their duties. The SLO we had in our last base was very helpful.

 

Not sure what the state wide homeschool organizations in PA are, but that would be another good resource.

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We aren't headed to a base, but there is one close by. We can see if there is one and what info they have. My experiences with the SLOs haven't been great, but that was on a professional level rather than personal level...so we'll see. :)

 

There are lots of homeschool organizations, it's just a matter of choosing which one fits best with our methods....and (me) being patient with the Army and receiving our orders/getting boots on the ground. I'm very thankful we'll have the whole summer to get settled and figure things out, although I'm sure time will seem to fly by.

 

Thanks for your suggestions. :)

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If we do get to move there, we'll be around the Carlisle area. My husband will be affiliated with ROTC somehow at Dickinson College.

 

 

This is a gorgeous area of PA!

 

I'm finished homeschooling now, but we never had any problems at all homeschooling in PA. Check with the school district once you get settled in. Ours has been super helpful. They'll let you know if you even NEED to do anything since you're doing American School. You may not. If so, all it will be is a notarized sheet with a list of subjects to be covered, then a portfolio at the end (use the same things you are sending to AS). With AS you may not need a separate evaluation, but if so, those are easy to obtain too.

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Good to hear! Thank you. :) I will quit stressing - especially since it doesn't help anything anyway. lol

 

We've heard nothing but good things about this area of PA...It's been about 30 years since I was back in that part of the country. As children we LOVED spending time at Hershey Park - have no idea what it's like now, but it will have to be on our LONG list of "to-do" and "must-see"...along with all the amazing historical sites to experience. :)

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