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abcmommy
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| Posted: April 05 2006 at 6:53pm | IP Logged
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We are moving this summer so my dh can work for a chem company in Princeton NJ. Dh is a scientist. Its so glam.
A less expensive option for us may be to live in PA, which I have read is one of the most restrictive states in which to HS. I have spent a lot of time on HSLDA's website, cringing.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has dealt with a) moving into a high cost of living area (from a low col area) and b) experience with HSing in PA.
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MicheleQ
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abcmommy wrote:
b) experience with HSing in PA.
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I live in PA and have homeschooled here since 1994. Overall I'd say it's really not that bad. The homeschooling laws here are said to be some of the most restrictive but my experience has been more along the lines of it being a bother of paperwork that I'd just rather do without. It's not overwhelming just one more thing I have to do that I would prefer not to. The problems you can encoutner depend on what school district you are in and how strictly they adhere to or in some cases misinterpret the law. My school district follows the law and requires we submit the proper paperwork but overall we don't get hassled about anything. This seems to be the case with MOST school districts now though in the past some have had trouble and there are still areas that do but things have certainly gotten better even in just the last 5 years or so. What area of PA are you looking to move to? Maybe I can direct you to some people in that area who can give you the scoop. 
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
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JennGM
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Michele,
How about near Altoona and State College? Blair County is Altoona...I can't remember the other county name.
And near Pittsburgh?
After a week taking care of my mil, it's tempting to move up the PA. Altoona area is low cost living compared to NoVA...and things are just more laid back and peaceful there.
Just want to keep some things in consideration.
What about the approach the Santorums originally did, with the charter school (is that the right term)? Is that harder to do?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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abcmommy
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Michele, we would move by close to the NJ line, in the far east of PA. Thinking of towns like Morrisville and etc off of rt 95.
Jenn, my good friend went to Highschool in Altoona and their family seemed to like that area. They are now in a rural area called Cairnbrook, over by where the Johnstown flood occurred. Its an interesting state.
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JennGM
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abcmommy wrote:
| Jenn, my good friend went to Highschool in Altoona and their family seemed to like that area. |
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Did she go to the public school or Bishop Guilfoyle? My dh was class of 1982 of the latter. If she was before him he probably would recognize her last name.
abcmommy wrote:
| They are now in a rural area called Cairnbrook, over by where the Johnstown flood occurred. Its an interesting state. |
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We love Cambria City/County to go and visit. The Historic District has a wonderful Ethnic Festival every Labor Day Weekend to celebrate the background.
We listen on our trips to Altoona to David McCullough's Johnstown Flood. VERY, very good.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
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momtomany
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I live in the northeastern part of the state, further north than you would need to live.
I've only homeschooled for three years, but so far so good. Not harassed yet. But I live in a school district that has had major teacher strikes for years. So I figure that they have enough problems without worrying about hs'ers. 
I agree with Michelle, the paperwork is a pain, but what are you going to do?
As for cost of living, I know lots of families around here that the dad works in NJ and commutes back and forth from the Poconos. I'm originally from NJ and I know that Princeton is a very pricey area! So if it's not too much stress on dh and the family, probably living in PA and commuting would be a good idea.
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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abcmommy
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Mary Ann and others, what sort of portfolio do you do? What does one file, paperwork wise? how do they evaluate your work?
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abcmommy
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| Posted: April 06 2006 at 10:44am | IP Logged
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oh Jenn, Sorry to have not addressed your post.
My friend is the son of a Lutheran minister so I am guessing he did public school. This guy is my childhood best friend's dh! He was an eagle scout and a diver, tho. Their last name is McCormick. But I think he was class of...92, so he is maybe too young for your guys to know. His dad was formerly military (chaplain, of course) and they moved a lot. I dont know how long they lived in Altoona.
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momtomany
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You have to have an attendance log, a daily log and samples of work in every subject. Also you need to have your child's work evaluated by an evaluator, who is a certified teacher or child pyschologist. The evaluator determines if your child is receiving an "apppropriate education" and writes a letter to that effect, which you need to include with your portfolio.
For the last couple of years, I have used a blank lesson plan book from Seton, that has an attendance sheet in the front and a week by week block schedule. In the front, I list all the books we've used. In the back, I list all field trips we've taken. I fill in the daily blocks as we go. Then at the end of the year, I just got those index tabs and marked them: Attendance, daily log, books used, field trips and put them in the correct pages. Then I include a folder which has the Evaluator letter and samples of their work. I use one book per child. So far, no complaints from the district.
BTW, I was blessed to find a wonderful Catholic evaluator, who also happens to be a certifed special ed teacher, which is so helpful to me with my John. She can sign the extra paper I need for him every year.
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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momtomany
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I forgot to mention that every year you need to file an notarized affadavit with the School District stating that you wish to teach your child at home, along with stating that you will teach them in English, and that you don't have a criminal record. That has to be in by Aug 1. And a list of your objectives for the coming year. I have an extra paper needed for my ds, who is labelled special needs.
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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Donna
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abcmommy wrote:
| I'd love to hear from anyone who has dealt with b) experience with HSing in PA. |
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We're in PA....it's really not so bad once you get used to the paperwork.
A good place for information is PA Homeschoolers. Howard is really good about promptly answering questions regarding the law.
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Angie Mc
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Home educating in PA is doable and I applaud all who do so with a can do spirit. Having hsed in PA for 3 years I suggest that you carefully look at the specific school district that you would be answerable to. This is the biggest glitch in PA, each of the 52 districts run things differently. So although a mom in one district my have no problems, there may be many who have problems in another district. Here is an article about cautions to consider.
I found PHEA and Catholic Homeschoolers of PA to be most helpful with questions about how to avoid over-compliance with the law.
Love,
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Angie Mc
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: anyone in PA?
