This Prospective Member Booklet contains a summary of what our local support group can offer you.  If you are interested in joining, simply submit the current years New Member Form (may be found on the Forms and Applications page) along with applicable fees to:  MDHSA, 32 West Main Street #5, Waynesboro, PA  17268 .

Since the origination of the PA Home Education and Private Tutoring Provisions of the Public School Code, many home-educators have had problems with school districts concerning different areas of the Law.  On the PDE's (Pennsylvania Department of Education) new website, a lot of these issues were addressed and clarifications were made so that there would be no future misunderstandings.  Some of the clarifications were acceptable and are outlined in this attachment (acceptable clarifications).  PHEA (Pennsylvania Home Education Association) has written a letter (PHEA letter) outlining the clarifications that contain a discrepancy between what is stated on the website and what the Law actually states.  PHEA has asked the PDE to change their website to conform with the Law.  PLEASE do NOT take what the PDE posted on their website as the Law, but refer to the actual language of the Law for what the Law actually states.  The letter is helpful in identifying the areas where there may be problems.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR AND ASK HIM/HER TO PRESSURE THE PDE TO CHANGE THEIR WEBSITE TO CONFORM WITH THE LAW.  PHEA posted this sample cover letter that you may modify to send to your legislator.  If you need to find your legislator or his/her contact information, use this website:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/ 
Please remember to attach a copy of the PHEA letter to your modified cover letter.

PDE Decision - Out of State Diplomas

In 2003, MDHSA received permission from an official at the PA Department of Education (PDE) to award diplomas to non-PA residents.  The PDE has just reversed that decision and MDHSA is no longer permitted to award diplomas to out of state families as of July 29, 2009.