Delaware vs Pennsylvania: Homeschool Laws Compared

Pennsylvania is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice and a periodic assessment, while Delaware requires notice but no testing or evaluation. They differ on 7 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, testing or evaluation, the portfolio, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared

9

Differences

7

Same in both

2

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from Delaware to Pennsylvania

Once you are a Pennsylvania resident you homeschool under Pennsylvania's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the local school district in Pennsylvania rather than the state education department.
2. Start logging from your first day: Pennsylvania counts 900 hours (990 for grades 7-12) over 180 days a year, and Delaware set no minimum.
3. Pennsylvania names 11 required subjects (english, math, science, geography, history, civics, safety, health, physical education, music, art). Tag activities to them so a gap shows before the year ends.
4. Pennsylvania requires professional evaluation, annually. Delaware had no assessment rule, so plan for it in your first year.
5. Keep a portfolio of dated work samples: Pennsylvania requires one and Delaware did not.
6. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in Pennsylvania against 5-16 in Delaware, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
7. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Pennsylvania the answer is yes; in Delaware it was district decides.

Moving from Pennsylvania to Delaware

Once you are a Delaware resident you homeschool under Delaware's rules. These are the ones that change.

1. Notice still applies, but it goes to the state education department in Delaware rather than the local school district.
2. Delaware sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
3. Delaware names no required subjects. Pennsylvania's list is still a sensible course plan; it stops being a legal one.
4. Delaware requires no testing or evaluation. Keep Pennsylvania's past results with your records; colleges may still ask for them.
5. Delaware does not require a portfolio. Bring Pennsylvania's with you anyway; it is your proof of progress if a question ever comes up.
6. Compulsory school ages are 5-16 in Delaware against 6-18 in Pennsylvania, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
7. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Delaware the answer is district decides; in Pennsylvania it was yes.

What stays the same

Delaware and Pennsylvania match on progress reports and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither Delaware nor Pennsylvania takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Keep comparing

• Delaware vs Maryland 6 rules differ
• Florida vs Pennsylvania 5 rules differ
• Maryland vs Pennsylvania 5 rules differ
• New Jersey vs Pennsylvania 7 rules differ
• New York vs Pennsylvania 7 rules differ
• Ohio vs Pennsylvania 5 rules differ
• Pennsylvania vs West Virginia 7 rules differ
• States That Require a Homeschool Notice of Intent All 36 states in one table
• States With Homeschool Hour and Day Requirements All 21 states in one table
• Required Homeschool Subjects by State All 34 states in one table
• States That Require Homeschool Testing or Evaluation All 19 states in one table
• States That Require a Homeschool Portfolio All 6 states in one table