Homeschooling in California.
Your Friendly Guide To
Homeschooling Laws Here.

However, the nightmare evaporated on August 8 - the same judges reversed their decision. Now, as long as you declare your home to be a private school, you may teach your children - even if you don't have teaching credentials. Whew!

Homeschooling in California is alive and kicking. There is no doubt about that. More than 200,000 children are being homeschooled now. If you are wondering why homeschooling is so popular, please click on the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling which you will find on the navigation bar on the left.

In this web page, we look at homeschooling California style. We hope to make homeschooling laws in California crystal clear to you so that you can start homeschooling as soon as you want.

Homeschooling laws in California have made it flexible for you. There are 4 options available. You can pick and choose whichever is suitable for your family. They are:

1. Private school satellite school program (PSP)

2. Independent study program through a public school (ISP)

3. Instruction provided by a certified private tutor

4. Your home as a private school

You may scratch your head in the beginning but we hope to enlighten you by the end of this article. If you already know which option interests you, and if you don't want to be bored to tears reading all four options, then please scroll down to the relevant heading.

Please don't get on the wrong side of California Homeschool Law

If you are new to homeschooling, we advise you to read the whole article - for three reasons. As homeschooling in California is very active, there have been lots of homeschooling laws enacted here. It is our wish that you don't get into the wrong side of homeschooling laws.

Tangoing with judges and public prosecutors is sizzling hot - not salsa style but Dante's Inferno style. Secondly, by reading up on all four options, you will have all the knowledge you need to make the best choice for your family. Thirdly, we will try our best not to put you to sleep.

Shall we get started? If you have to, please wash your face, get a hot cup of coffee and take a few deep breaths. Here is the first option.

Homeschooling in California No.1
Private School Satellite School Program (PSP)

What is a PSP

A PSP is very simple, actually. Many private schools have extension programs in which you can enroll your children. However, not all private schools are the same. If you want to be in total control of your children's education, there are PSPs out there which allow you to choose your curriculum and take responsibility for your children's education. You can educate your children in the comfort of your own home without anyone breathing over your shoulder.

The Disadvantages of PSPs for California Homeschoolers

On the negative side, you are also responsible for complying with all of the California Education Code. You have to be on your toes if you are homeschooling in California.

Some PSPs have requirements like teacher counseling and campus visits. Each private school is different and it is impossible to list all the requirements of all these schools. You won't want us to anyway. You can purchase The California Homeschool Guide from Amazon.com for a list of private schools and make some enquiries. You could also get recommendations from your homeschool support group.

Why Do Many California Homeschoolers Love PSPs?

This is one of the popular options of homeschooling in California because parents don't have to file the tiresome Private School Affidavit (R4 Form). In other words, let others do the dirty job for you - dealing with administrivia and red tape - while you happily go on with what you really want to do - that is, educating your children.

Let's have a look at Homeschooling California Style No.2.

Homeschooling in California No.2
Independent Study Program Through a Public School (ISP)

Public School District

The first thing you have to do if you choose this option is to call your local district and ask them if they offer a home study program. There are no guarantees here. Some districts don't offer this program. If they don't, all is not lost. Life is still worth living. You have other avenues available to you. Homeschooling in California is not outlawed, just convoluted - the judges tried to once, but commonsense prevailed in the end.

If they say yes, after jumping up and down in joy, the next thing you might want to do is to seek advice from your homeschool support group for programs that might be suitable for you. Once you have chosen a program, you will have to work with a program teacher. She will help you create a course of study that meets with the state and school district's approval. You can't run away from that.

Then, on a regular basis, you will meet with the program teacher, say about once a month, because some things just can't be avoided. She will be breathing down your shoulder to see that you are complying with state laws and giving your children a solid education as determined by the state of California.

You might wonder why you have to put up with this annoyance? Well, she will look at your children's work and also keep some of them as samples of their progress. She will test and grade your kids. She will provide study materials and other much needed resources for your children's scholastic success. Finally, she will award them diplomas. Liking it is not an option.

However, homeschooling in California is not that bad is it? Homeschooling laws are essential to prevent abuse by unethical parents. If we didn't have homeschooling laws, what is to prevent a criminal from keeping his kids at home and training them in his heinous trade, such as kidnapping and murdering.

Well kidnappings and murders are still rampant in California, but at least the kids are getting educated.

Public Charter School

If you don't know what a public charter school is, here is the definition. Public charter schools are elementary or secondary schools that receive public money but are freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools. Why are they privileged? Are they run by royalty?

No. The reason is that they have to produce certain results in their students' academic performance, as stated in their charter. So they are under more pressure than conventional public schools. It would be better to be a goat in a lion's den than a teacher in a charter school - we are just exaggerating.

Charter schools don't charge tuition fees. Some charter schools offer Home Study Programs. You can check with the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) to find a charter school near you.

Homeschooling in California via charter schools is usually better than homeschooling through public schools. That is because charter schools by definition are results oriented. Children in charter schools are usually - that's what they say - academically better than those in public schools.

It is a good idea to check with your homeschool support group for quality charter schools, just to be sure. If you are stuck in a charter school that turns out to be a circus, don't sweat it - it is not a lifelong marriage. You can switch schools or change your options anytime. Homeschooling in California is not a death trap.

California Law states that you can only enroll in a charter school that is situated in your county or adjacent to it. So you have to move house if you badly want a charter school that is two counties away. Not all charter schools offer Homes Study Programs. So you have to do a bit of hunting. CCSA's website is a good place to look.

So what do you get for enrolling in a Charter School Home Study Program? First of all, you will be working closely with a facilitator from the charter school. Not that annoyance again, you may feel. Sorry, you have no choice. You have to meet her once a month.

At the initial stages, she will help you set a course of study for your children. Then, on a monthly basis, you will meet up with her to show her how your children are progressing. You have to give her attendance sheets and some of your children's work as samples - plus lots of chocolate and candy to keep her happy (just joking). Don't you just love homeschooling in California?

Seriously speaking, if you like someone to guide you along your homeschooling journey, this program might be the answer for you. Some charter schools also provide educational credits that you can use to buy educational curricula. Great.

If you crave testing, there are many charter schools that have standardized testing. Regular testing is good because it provides an opportunity for you to see how well your children are progressing, or regressing (in some cases). You will also discover any weak areas they might have and put out some fires before they destroy your children's scholastic journey.

If you don't like the idea of someone breathing down your neck, scroll down to Header 4, Your Home as a Private School. Or if you would rather have someone else do all the teaching for you, go to the header just below, Instruction Provided by a Certified Private Tutor.

Let's look at how else homeschooling in California is done. Different strokes for different folks.

Homeschooling in California No.3
Instruction Provided by a Certified Private Tutor

Requirements

The private tutor must be a state certified teacher who has the licence to teach the grades being taught. Instruction must be in English. She should also teach the subjects that are required to be taught in public schools. The private tutor should teach for 3 hours a day for 175 days.

Among all the methods of homeschooling in California, this is the least popular because most homeschooling parents want to have control over their children's education. This method just brings the public school to your house. Why pay for it when you can get it for free?

The advantages of this option are that your children will be taught by a qualified teacher and your children will be getting the best education in the eyes of California lawmakers. Also, your children won't be competing against other children for the attention of their teacher, which is what is happening in public schools, or rather what we hope is happening in public schools. By receiving individual attention, they won't be left behind.

The Disadvantages of Having a Private tutor

The downside is the cost. It is 3 hours x 175 days x $x. Assuming the fees are $20 an hour, it amounts to a hefty $10,500. Now, if you were to have five kids - $52,500? Unless you are a millionaire, this door is firmly closed.

Well anyway, if there are other homeschoolers of your child's age, you could try for a group discount. On the other hand, if you were a state certified teacher, you would be laughing all the way to the bank.

Want to Look at the Last California Homeschooling Option?

Homeschooling in California doesn't have to be this expensive. Don't despair. We still have one more option - the one that is as flexible as an acrobat. It might be a high wire act as you try to please Uncle Sam but you can fly high with it too.

Homeschooling in California No.4
Your Home as a Private School.

The Private School Affidavit for California Homeschoolers

The first thing you have to do is to file a Private School Affidavit (R4 Form) between October 1 to October 15. You have to do this annually. Ignore this at your peril. Bookmark the Filing the Private School Affidavit website and come back to it within the first 2 weeks of October to do your filing. Homeschooling in California or anywhere in the world has one important consideration - never incur the wrath of the authorities.

So what other homeschooling laws do you have to observe? Firstly, keep your Affidavit under lock and key just in case any authorities demand you for it. And if your house is on fire, that is the first thing you should save - after your children, spouse and ailing mother-in-law (well, the last is not mandatory).

Teaching Qualifications as Required by California Homeschool Law

Ensure that there is someone who is competent at teaching your kids. No, you can't have a 5th grader or Killer Clown Gacy teaching your children. Teaching qualifications, however, are not necessary. Did I hear a sigh of relief? Homeschooling in California is easier than what most people think.

Records Needed By California Homeschool Law

What else do you need?

You need to keep attendance. You have to have a faculty record - this is laughable in a homeschooling environment. You don't need to have professors in your staff. You just have to keep a sort of resume of yourself or whoever is teaching your kids - your education, work history, life experience, skills etc.

Of course, your children's health is of paramount importance. That is why, if you are homeschooling in California, you need to keep a California School Immunization on file to show that they are not vulnerable to some, but not all, nasty communicable diseases. You should also keep a Report of Health Examination for School Entry or Waiver of Health Check-up for School Entry.

If you are getting the jitters, please calm down. Homeschooling in California is not as bad as it seems. All these records are for your children's protection. That is why California has homeschooling laws - there are a lot of crazy parents around who just won't listen to reason. There are some who keep their children chained in the basement. We need laws to protect America's children.

Finally, you need to outline your children's curriculum every year. You don't have to go into detail with a 100 page report. We are not writing a PhD dissertation here. All you have to do is to create a plan on how you are going to cover the subjects required by law.

Subjects Required By California Homeschool Law

Here are the subjects by the way. You need to teach these subjects to your children. The good news is that you can teach them any way you want as long as you cover these subjects.

Grades 7-12: Math, Science, English, Social Sciences, Health, Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, Foreign Language, Applied Arts, Vocational-Technical Education and Automobile Driver Education.

Besides the above subjects, you must also teach any other subjects the State of California requires.

As you teach your children, keep some samples of their work and maintain records of their progress. That way, you know that you are heading in the right direction.

We also recommend that you test your children regularly to see whether they are moving along fine, and to spot any weak areas. If you follow the homeschooling laws religiously, you will find that homeschooling in California is actually a breeze.

Tests Required By California Homeschool Law

If you want your child to have a high school diploma, there are some options available to you.

1. The California High School Proficiency Examination or CHSPE. Tel: 1-866-342-4773. Your child has to be at least 16 years old at the date of the test.

2. The GED. Tel: 1-800-626-9433. Your child has to be within 60 days of her 18th birthday on the date of the test.

All Good Things Must Come To an End

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If you want to read the homeschooling laws of the other states, please click Homeschooling Laws.

Now that you know what homeschooling California style is like, and if you haven't fallen asleep, we suggest that you look at our Pros and Cons of Homeschooling. You will find it in our Navigation Bar in the top left corner of this page. We also have Free Singapore Math Worksheets for you.

Please bookmark our homepage for we will be posting other homeschooling articles for your benefit. Your children's academic success is our mission. We mean it.

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