Pennsylvania Homeschoolers
Howard & Susan Richman, Editors
R.D. 2 -- Box 117
Kittanning, PA 16201
412-783-6512

Dr. Ken Miller, Chief
Division of Advisory Services
Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

September 22, 1990

Dear Dr. Miller:

As you know, the home education law states that a student graduates from a home education program if he or she completes four years of English, three years of mathematics, and so on in grades nine through twelve. Last spring, very few home educated students reached graduation age. I personally know two students who plan to graduate from home education programs this coming spring. I also know several dozen who plan to graduate in a few years. It would be very important for many families to have a recognized diploma procedure as soon as possible.

Also, as you know, your office specified in a Basic Education Circular issued March 1989 that school districts are under no obligation to award a diploma or otherwise acknowledge the completion of a home-schooled student's education. Therefore, although the law specifies that students can graduate from home education programs, the Department has decided that the responsibility for issuing the diplomas does not reside at the school district level.

Last year I wrote to Joe Bard in order to begin to explore the possibility that the Department of Education could issue diplomas to home education students. In the meantime, I had a friendly visit with Ken Wallick at the Department of Education's GED office. The main problem, I realized, is that the GED office must have a transcript on file to stand behind the diplomas that it issues. For students who pass the GED, the score report is the transcript. For students who complete a year of college, the college transcript is used.

So, last year, I got a high school transcript committee together to draw up alternative transcript forms. These forms are already being used by many home education families. Enclosed are photocopies of these five transcript forms. As you can see, each year the evaluator signs the transcript, and at the conclusion of the high school program, the supervisor signs the transcript.

Many parents would appreciate the possibility of their children receiving a diploma from the Department of Education. It would encourage home educated high school students to work diligently for the full four years required to achieve that diploma.

Some families, however, will not opt for a diploma issued by the Department of Education even if one is available. I hope you agree with me that whatever the source of the diploma, any student who has met the requirement for graduation from a home education program is a high school graduate.

Enclosed is a rough draft of a proposed diploma form which could be awarded to graduating home education program students. The Department of Education could issue this diploma upon receipt from the supervisor of a signed transcript form. The wording for the diploma is taken from the diploma already issued by the Department to people who pass the GED or get a high school diploma because they completed a full year of college. A photocopy of that diploma form is also enclosed for your reference.

The Department of Education, and your office especially, have been very friendly in putting into effect the provisions of the home education law in the spirit intended by the legislature. Let us work to expedite this matter in time for spring graduations.

Sincerely,

Howard B. Richman, PhD

cc. Rep. Ronald Cowell, Rep. Joe Pitts, Joseph Bard, John Christopher

Enclosures:
1. Rough draft of proposed diploma form
2. Photocopy of diploma form already in use by GED office
3. Five Transcript forms which are already in use by home education programs

Click here for information about the context of this letter.

Click here to find out more about homeschooling in Pennsylvania.