WHEN TO FILE
The law says that, the first time you submit an affidavit and objectives for John, you must do so “prior to the commencement of the home education program.” Since the public school year runs from July 1 to June 30 every year, if you submit these items no later than July 1, you can begin counting days (or hours) on July 1.

After the first year, the law says you must submit John’s affidavit and objectives on August 1. Most homeschoolers submit it with their evaluation letters in May or June.

WHAT TO FILE
The law says that you must submit a notarized affidavit (a correctly-worded unsworn declaration is a legally acceptable alternative) that includes:

• the name of the supervisor of the home education program who shall be responsible for the provision of instruction;
• a statement that you (the supervisor) are the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child and that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
• the name and age of each child who will participate in the home education program;
• the address and telephone number of the home education program site;
• a statement that the subjects required by law are offered in the English language;
• a statement that you will attach an outline of proposed education objectives by subject area;
• a statement that the child has been immunized in accordance with the provisions of section 1303(a) or has a medical or religious exemption under 24 Pennsylvania Statutes section 13-1303a;
• a statement that the child has received the health and medical services required for students of the child’s age or grade level in Article XIV or has a religious exemption under 24 Pennsylvania Statutes section 14-1419;
• a statement that the supervisor, all adults living in the home, and persons having legal custody of a child or children in a home education program have not been convicted of the criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (e) of section 111 within five years immediately preceding the date of the affidavit;
• a statement that the home education program will comply with 24 Pennsylvania Statutes section 13-1327.1 and that the notarized affidavit shall be satisfactory evidence thereof.

The law says that the “objectives shall not be utilized by the superintendent in determining if the home education program is out of compliance.”

For more information on unsworn declarations, read Notarized Affidavit or Unsworn Declaration.