that diploma question that keeps coming in PA

I have home schooled both my children who have graduated home schooling high school under Act 169 with parent issued diplomas and both have gone on to college.

This is the part of the law, Act 169,
(section 2, d) which declares the graduation requirements:
(d) The following minimum courses in grades nine through twelve are established as a requirement for graduation in a home education program: (1) Four years of English. (2) Three years of mathematics. (3) Three years of science. (4) Three years of social studies. (5) Two years of arts and the humanities.

I also have the privilege of preparing transcripts and completing evaluations of the home school program for families as they hire me for this purpose. This is prescribed in the home school Act 169 as well.

Again, the law states:
(2) An annual written evaluation of the student's educational progress as determined by a licensed clinical or school psychologist or a teacher certified by the Commonwealth or by a nonpublic school teacher or administrator.

The York Home School Association recognizes Parent-issued Diplomas as valid for several reasons:
1. The Pennsylvania homeschool law prescribes graduation requirements, and even though the student fulfills them, neither the school district nor the state issues a diploma to the student. This leaves that need up to the supervisor of the home education program to mark the end of the high school years. Often I suggest that a transcript be prepared for the high school years, showing that the requirements in section 2 d are met. Additionally, compulsory school age in PA is age 8-17 so a student beyond age 17 is NOT required file paperwork with the school district.
2. Additionally, there are not accredited high school diplomas. The diplomas offered by some home school organizations or businesses are merely recognized by the state and not accredited, regardless of the name of the group.
3. The York Home school Association’s Guide to the Law makes a first suggestion for the diploma: 1. “Parents may issue a diploma to their students.”
4. There are programs offered by other organization which have been called state-recognized, official, and legitimate; but they are not state accredited, and often have additional requirements and costs. YHSA recognizes that home schoolers are being accepted into college on the basis of merit – transcripts, SAT’s, letters of recommendation, admissions essays, etc. YHSA does not endorse the involvement in a diploma program. YHSA states that: Parent-issued diplomas are considered valid for any admission requirement.

Any parent-issued diploma for a home schooled student is valid though having a transcript to back it up to show that you complied with the law is the way to make it complete.