Carlisle Area School District

Empowering Every Learner

Home Education Supervisor:

Home education students in grades 3, 5 and 8 are required to take standardized tests. These students may take the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment (PSSA) and the Keystone Exams at their school district in order to fulfill the standardized test requirements.  Your child is invited participate in our testing. 

If you are interested in having your child participate, please call your home school office two weeks prior to the test date so we can make arrangements for your child. 

The Carlisle Area School District respects the rights of parents to educate their children in the home. The school district follows all of the legal requirements for educating children in the home. The following information provides a brief overview of these legal requirements. Please refer to the PA Department of Education (PDE) for further clarification.

• An unsworn declaration or notarized affidavit must be accompanied by the immunization records, medical records and outline of proposed education objective by subject area covering all mandatory subjects.

The sample affidavits shown below may be used by the supervisor of the home education program for children at the elementary school level (kindergarten through sixth grade) or at the secondary school level (seventh through twelfth grade). These documents must be notarized.  The unsworn declarations shown below may also be used by a home school supervisor.  They are similar to the affidavits, however, unsworn declarations do not need to be notarized but instead, are governed under perjury statutes.

• Affidavit - Elementary Sample (grades K-6) (Word)
• Affidavit - Secondary Sample (grades 7-12) (Word) 
• Affidavit - Elementary Unsworn Declaration (Word)
• Affidavit - Secondary Unsworn Declaration (Word)

The required home education affidavit covers the school year July 1 – June 30 and must be submitted to the superintendent’s office no later than August 1 of each school year a child is home schooled.

• Requirements for immunization and medical records may be satisfied by submitting (1) the actual records, (2) a letter from the doctor stating legal requirements have been fulfilled or there exists a medical condition that prevents immunization or (3) a letter stating that the parent has a religious objection to either the immunization and/or medical examinations.

• The home education supervisor must maintain a portfolio of the child's work documenting compulsory attendance and that the child is receiving the appropriate education. Compulsory attendance applies to students from age 6 through the age of 18. Standardized testing is required in grades 3, 5 and 8. The portfolio must include these test results. Students may take the PSSA or Keystone Exams at their school district without cost or parents may pay for an alternative test and its administration. Portfolios must be evaluated by a qualified evaluator at the parents’ expense.

• The law defines five ways to qualify as a home education evaluator. The Carlisle Area School District will request that evaluators provide proper evidence of their qualifications.
1. PA certified teachers (must submit PPID)
2. School Psychologists (must submit PPID)
3. Licensed clinical psychologists (must submit license number)
4. Non-public teachers (must provide their place of employment, subjects/grades taught, years taught and contact information of the school in which they worked)
5. Administrators (must provide their place of employment, subjects/grades taught, years taught and contact information of the school in which they worked)

• Home education evaluations must be submitted to the superintendent’s office no later than June 30 of each school year for all home schooled students.

• Home education supervisors may request to borrow copies of textbooks and other curriculum materials appropriate to the student’s age and grade level from the school district at no charge. These items are to be returned in like condition at the conclusion of the school year when the evaluation is submitted.

• Questions related to homeschooling may be directed to the Assistant Superintendent. Telephone 717-240-6800 x16805 or email Mr. Michael Gogoj at [email protected]  

• The Carlisle Area School District Administration Offices are located at 623 West Penn Street, Carlisle, PA 17013. Our mailing address is 540 West North Street, Carlisle, PA 17013.