How to Write Homeschool Objectives in Pennsylvania
When you file to homeschool in Pennsylvania, one of the key things you need to include is a list of your homeschool objectives.
I can still remember how anxious I felt the first time I wrote my PA homeschool objectives. Was I doing it right? Was I including enough details? What if the school district wouldn’t accept my plans?
Now, with over 20 years of experience, I can tell you with confidence that you don’t have to worry about any of those things . . . and the entire process is easier than you think.
This post contains my best understanding of Pennsylvania’s homeschool law, as well as my personal experiences from 20+ years of homeschooling in PA. However, I am not a lawyer, and nothing in this post is intended as legal advice. Please consult HSLDA or your own lawyer for legal guidance.
What Does the PA Homeschool Law Say?
According to PA homeschool law (24 P.S. §13-1327.1), your affidavit or unsworn declaration must include:
“ . . . an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area . . . The required outline of proposed education objectives shall not be utilized by the superintendent in determining if the home education program is out of compliance . . . ”
What this means in plain English:
- You must list your educational objectives by subject area.
- They should be included with your affidavit or unsworn declaration when you submit it.
- They are not used to judge whether you are teaching “enough” or if your child is progressing (or anything else, for that matter).
What Are Educational Objectives?
Educational objectives are simply a brief outline of what you intend to teach your child during the school year.
The list of objectives doesn’t need to be overly detailed, and it isn’t used to grade or assess your child. It basically just shows that your home education program will cover the required subjects and that you have some sort of plan for the year.
What Subjects Are Required to Be Included?
Before you dive into the lists below, it’s important to know that you do NOT have to teach every subject every year.
You must cover the required elementary subjects at some point during grades K-6, and the required secondary subjects at some point during grades K-12. But when you teach each subject is up to you.
👉🏻 The only exception to this requirement is fire safety. The “dangers and prevention of fires” must be taught in some way each year.
Elementary Required Subjects (Grades K-6)
- English (including spelling, reading, and writing)
- Arithmetic
- Science
- Geography
- History of the U.S. and Pennsylvania
- Civics
- Safety education (including fire safety)
- Health and physiology
- Physical education
- Music
- Art
Secondary Required Subjects (Grades 7-12)
- English (including language, literature, speech, and composition)
- Mathematics (including general math, algebra, and geometry)
- Science
- Geography
- History of the U.S. and Pennsylvania
- World history
- Civics
- Safety education (including fire safety)
- Health
- Physical education
- Music
- Art
How to Write PA Homeschool Objectives
The homeschool objectives that you submit to the school district do NOT need to be lengthy or overly detailed. In fact, it is best to keep them brief and general so you feel free to adjust your plans as needed.
You don’t need to list exact curricula, book titles, or lesson plans. You just need to give a general idea of what your child will be doing during the year.
One to three short statements per subject is usually plenty. The entire list doesn’t need to be longer than a page or two.
After you’ve written your objectives, attach them to your affidavit (or unsworn declaration) and submit them to your local school superintendent. And don’t forget to make a copy for your records!
Sample PA Homeschool Objectives
Here is a brief look at what your homeschool objectives might look like for a student in fourth grade.
English:
- Improve reading fluency and comprehension
- Practice spelling, grammar, and sentence structure
- Develop writing skills through journaling and short reports
Math:
- Strengthen understanding of multiplication and division
- Explore fractions and basic geometry
- Apply math in real-life situations
Science:
- Study ecosystems, weather, and simple machines
- Complete hands-on experiments and nature studies
History and Geography:
- Learn about Pennsylvania and early U.S. history
- Identify continents, oceans, and major world landmarks
Safety Education:
- Understand bicycle safety
- Discuss fire safety and emergency preparedness
Health and Physiology:
- Discuss nutrition, hygiene, and human body systems
Physical Education:
- Engage in regular physical activity
Art and Music:
- Use art and music as forms of creative expression
👉🏻 Have a question? With 20+ years of experience homeschooling in PA, I want to help you in any way that I can! Remember, there are NO stupid questions. If you are wondering about something, someone else probably is, too. 🙂
Educational Objectives FAQs
1. Can the district superintendent reject my objectives?
No. After you have submitted “an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area,” the superintendent is not legally allowed to use them to approve or disapprove your homeschool plans.
2. Do I have to include every subject every year?
No. The only subject that MUST be covered every year is fire safety.
3. Can I change my homeschool objectives?
Absolutely. Many families switch up their plans mid-year due to curriculum changes, interests, or life events. You are not required to update the school district or revise the objectives once they’re submitted.
More Resources
- PA Home Education Law (Section 1327.1 of the Pennsylvania School Code)
- Home Education BEC (info from PA Department of Education)
- Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide (PDF download from PA Department of Education)