Pennsylvania: ‘Cyber school’ isn’t homeschooling

In a heartwarming article about two homeschooling families in Pennsylvania, we’re told that ‘cyber school’ students are not counted as ‘homeschooled’ in state statistics:

“Since homeschooling was authorized by the state Legislature in 1988, the number of homeschooled students in the state showed a steady increase through the 1990s and early 2000s before topping off at about 23,000.

Though Pennsylvania’s numbers have leveled off, some observers see it as a signal of strength, because other states have declined significantly in recent years. Pennsylvania’s homeschool enrollment remains strong, experts say, because the state committed early on to a certification program — a recognized graduation/diploma provision in a variety of fields — “that still has (Pennsylvania) ahead of most other states,” according to a report on pahomeschoolers.com.

Also, cyber school numbers are climbing across Pennsylvania, and those enrollments are not included as homeschool enrollments, which likely reduced the overall homeschool figures.”

Source: Families change face of homeschooling – from the Meadville Tribune.