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Drivers Ed Teens, earn your driving certificate from the comfort of your own computer. Drivers Ed California - Safe Driving California Homeschool Laws Explained Cases Code Common Misconceptions Compulsory Attendance Getting School Records Home Visits Private Satellite Programs Private School Option Public Charter Schools Public ISPs Tutoring Option Special Situations Work Permit California Homeschooling Associations About Charter Schools Charter School List Events Field Trips Fingerprinting Laws Legal Information Legislation Watch Online Support PSA Affidavit PSA Sample PSPs Public ISPs Publications Resources Support Groups Support Group Lists A to Z Home's Cool Home Articles Beginning to Homeschool Chat Room Community Networking Concerns Curriculum Shopping Distance Learning Programs DVD Rentals Early Years Events Explorations 4 Kids Field Trips Gifted Kids Holiday Directory Homeschooling Jokes Laws & Legalities Lessons & Ideas Methods, Styles Regional Information Religion & Cultural Special Needs Support Group Resources Teens & College-Bound Thoughts & Hard Facts Unschooling Computer Literacy Fine Arts General Interest Health & Fitness Language Arts Languages Math Science Experiments * Astronomy * Biology * Earth Science * Chemistry * Physics Social Studies   California School Rules: A School-Smart Parent's Guide to Advocating for Your Child Judy, Ph.D. Goddess The author wrote the book to help parents answer the question: "Hey, can they do that to my kid?" Tutoring as a Successful Business: An Expert Tutor Shows You How by Eileen Kaplan Shapiro (Paperback - April 2001)

California Homeschool Laws Explained Code California Homeschoolers Win Landmark Case - 8/8/08 The California Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of homeschooling in our state. Mon, Aug 11, 2008 -- 9:00 AM Teaching Without Credentials A California appeals court has ruled that parents can homeschool their children, even if they don't have a teaching credential. This overturns an earlier ruling that required such a qualification. Host: Michael Krasny Guests: Dana Hull, metro reporter for the San Jose Mercury News Debbie Schwarzer, attorney with GCA Law Partners, LLP; co-chair of the legal team for the Homeschool Association of California; and a homeschooling mom Dennis Kelly, president of United Educators of San Francisco, vice president of American Federation of Teachers and California Federation of Teachers California Education Code For Homeschooling AN A TO Z RESOURCE Not intended as legal advice. For your information only. California State Department of Education The California State Department of Education (CDE) provides The Private School Affidavit online by mid-September. Homeschoolers without access to the Internet should request a paper affidavit in writing no earlier than August 25 each year. the DOE will begin mailing out requested affidavits in late September. Complying With the California Law The HomeSchool Association of California [HSC] shows you options for complying with the state homeschooling law, and explains why it is legal to declare yourself a private school using the R4 form. "In re Rachel L." decision - 3/5/08 The "In re Rachel L." decision handed down by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District, in Los Angeles County, on Febuary 28, 2008, has become too controversial to ignore. Compulsory Attendance California Private School Monthly Attendance Report AN A TO Z RESOURCE WORD document to meet requirement for R4 PSA filers to keep an attendance report of days ABSENT. Compulsory Attendance Any child who will be six on or before December 2 of the school year is subject to the compulsory school requirements. HSC: By Debbie Schwarzer, Esq., Linda J. Conrad, Esq., and Elizabeth Bryant, Esq. Private School Option R4 Private School Affidavit AN A TO Z RESOURCE In California, families can legally homeschool their children by establishing a private school in their home and complying with the private school requirements of the California Education Code. The R4 must be filed from October 1st through 15th each year. California R4 Private School Affidavit Form Sample for 2007-8 UPDATED FOR 2007-8 AN A TO Z RESOURCE File online October 1st through 15th. Print out this sample copy and use as a guideline for filing your own affidavit. The Private School Option Children are exempt from compulsory attendance if they "are being instructed in a private full-time day school by persons capable of teaching." HSC: By Debbie Schwarzer, Esq., Linda J. Conrad, Esq., and Elizabeth Bryant, Esq. Selected California Statutes Applicable to Private Schools These statutes are a selection of the most often used California Statutes affecting homeschoolers. Private School Satellite Programs New Term for Independent Study Programs Homeschool independent study programs now to be called PSPs or Private School Satelite Programs. California Private School Satellite Programs AN A TO Z RESOURCE Some California homeschool families prefer not to homeschool independently, but rather through an institution operated either through the state or as an independent organization. Using A Private Satellite (PSP) Program Private out-of-state PSPs, while useful for curricular support, only satisfy the legal requirements for public school exemption if the school has filed its own affidavit in California. HSC. Tutoring Option Tutoring Parents with a valid teaching credential can act as tutors for their children, or parents may employ a credentialed teacher. However, tutors and parents who choose to tutor their own children must fulfill all of the requirements of 48224. HSC. Public Charter Schools California Charter Schools AN A TO Z RESOURCE It is important to understand how homeschooling through a public charter school differs from homeschooling privately. Charter Schools The newest method of homeschooling is to use independent study, distance learning, and homeschooling programs developed by various charter schools throughout the state. Since charter schools are part of the public school system, a child enrolled in a charter school program is, for legal purposes, enrolled in public school. HSC. Public Independent Study Programs California Charter Schools AN A TO Z RESOURCE It is important to understand how homeschooling through a public charter school differs from homeschooling privately. California Public ISPs AN A TO Z RESOURCE This is a list of school districts with Independent Study or Home Study Programs outlined online. Public Independent Study Programs Enrolling your child in a public school independent study program is the legal equivalent to enrolling him in public school. These are the "home study" programs offered by many school districts. Tutoring Option Tutoring Parents with a valid teaching credential can act as tutors for their children, or parents may employ a credentialed teacher. However, tutors and parents who choose to tutor their own children must fulfill all of the requirements of 48224. HSC. Getting School Records Getting Your Child's Cumulative Records from the Former School One of the primary reasons for obtaining the file is so that the school will close its file on your child. While you have a right to have this file, unless you have a legal reason for needing it, you may wish to let the matter drop so that you do not draw unwanted attention to your family. From HSC. Sample of Wording to Request Records from Your Child's Previous School If you are new to homeschooling and are filing the R-4 it is a good idea to request your child's cumulative folder from the previous school. This is the wording that I use when requesting records for newly enrolled students in the BayShore School private ISP. Special Situations Communities With Curfews If you live in a community with a curfew, HSC recommends that your child have a school identification card and a note from your school administrator whenever he or she is out in the community. HSC. Do public high schools accept homeschool credits when a homeschooler enrolls in public high school? Recently a few parents have asked whether public schools can refuse to accept credits from non-accredited schools, including private homeschools. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. HSC. Homeschooling After A Divorce Although it is legal to homeschool after a divorce or in a situation where the other parent does not agree with homeschooling, the ultimate decision as to whether you can homeschool your children may be up to the Family Law Court. HSC. Welfare Benefits Families should be able to receive welfare benefits and still homeschool their children using any of the legal options, including operating a home-based private school. HSC. Withdrawing your Child from Public or Private School Mid-Year We do recommend that you not tell the school that you are going to homeschool. HSC. Common Misconceptions California Homeschoolers Win Landmark Case - 8/8/08 The California Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of homeschooling in our state. Fingerprinting Not Required AN A TO Z RESOURCE California homeschoolers do not need to allow themselves to be fingerprinted in order to file the R-4. Is Homeshooling Suddenly Illegal In California? No! AN A TO Z RESOURCE Dateline September 8, 2002. Here is a statement that has been prepared by one of the attorneys on the HSC legal team. Common Misinformation Promulgated by Public School Officials Such as homeschool parents must have teacher certification, or that school officials have a right to demand to see your curriculum and plans. From CHN. Homeschooling Legal FAQ's Is homeschooling legal in California? What does it mean when the California Department of Education (CDE) says that "homeschooling is not authorized in the state of California"? These and more questions answered on the HSC site. Cases Note that at this time, early March 2008, we do not yet know the effect of the "In re Rachel L." decision. Expert homeschool legal advisors are looking into this decision to see what repercussions it might have. "In re Rachel L." decision - 3/5/08 AN A TO Z RESOURCE The "In re Rachel L." decision handed down by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District, in Los Angeles County, on Febuary 28, 2008, has become too controversial to ignore. Legal Brief: In re Rachel L. In this dependency case, we consider the question whether parents can legally "home school" their children. The attorney for two of the three minor children in the case has petitioned this court for extraordinary writ relief, asking us to direct the juvenile court to order that the children be enrolled in a public or private school, and actually attend such a school. California Decision Vacated - 4/28/08 The In re Rachel L. decision handed down by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, has been vacated. California homeschooling back to normal. Home Visits or Accusations of Truancy Association of Homeschool Attorneys This Yahoo Groups email list was formed in response to the proliferation of of truancy, custody, and CPS cases against legal homeschoolers in California, as well as the continuing threat to homeschooling by legislative action. It has expanded to be a national resource. Contact By Truancy Officers Most (but not all) investigations of truancy cases involving homeschoolers start because the children were removed from a public or private school without first complying with one of the legal ways to homeschool, because they were involved in truancy issues prior to leaving school, or because they had come to the attention of Children's Protective Services for abuse or neglect. Home Visits by Officials The Three Little Homeschoolers: A Tale of Caution Once upon a time there were 3 homeschooling families. The first family knew nothing about their legal rights. The second family had listened to a seminar in which their legal rights were discussed, and the third family knew the Code. From CHN. Pacific Justice Institute Brad Dacus, president and chief counsel of the Pacific Justice Institute, which has said it will represent for free any family facing truancy charges. When Officials come knocking at your door - A true story The school official stated that he was visiting the new private schools in the district, and, in Impressive Official tone, demanded to see Àall the administrative documents.” By Elizabeth Vana Bryant, HSC legal volunteer. Work Permit for your Teen Work Permits "The law does not require that the minor be a pupil registered with the local district or even that the minor be living with a parent who is a resident of that district. The minor merely has to be living within the boundaries of any school district (even if only for a vacation), and the superintendent is authorized to issue the required work permit." Associations | Events | Field Trips | Publications | Resources Fingerprinting | Laws | Legal Information | Legislation Watch | R4 Affidavit | R4 Sample About Charter Schools | Charter School List | Cover Schools | Public ISPs Online Support | Support Groups | Support Group Lists

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