How to Homeschool in California

It's Easy and Legal to Begin CA Homeschooling

Sep 14, 2009 John Wu

As long as the parent follows California law, it is simple and easy to start homeschooling children in California.

State law does not prohibit homeschooling in California. Although the state seems permissive, there are some requirements that have to be met, mainly concerning the subjects that are taught in California.

Homeschool Laws in California

According to the California Education Code §48222, all children between 6 and 18 years of age are required to enroll in public school unless they are attending a full-time private school or are being taught by a tutor who holds a valid California teaching credential. Most homeschool parents meet §48222 by establishing a private school in their home or enroll in a school that offers independent study, either of which negates the requirement for a parent to hold a California teaching credential.

Keep in mind that California requires all private schools to teach certain subjects. For example, English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health and physical education must be taught. Additional subjects are required in grades 7-12. California Education Code §51210 and §51220 detail the subject requirements.

Despite court challenges on constitutional grounds and infringement of religious freedom, homeschool parents need to teach the above subjects to stay legal. Currently, there is no provision in California law for supervising the instruction of these required subjects. This means parents are free to determine how the required subjects are taught. With freedom to design curriculum, parents can get learning materials such as homeschool textbooks inexpensively or even free.

Setting up a California Homeschool

To set up a home based private school, submit an electronic private school affidavit (PSA) on the California Department of Education website between October 1st and October 15th of each year. That website also has additional information on setting up a home based private school.

After the school has been set up, contact the child's previous school and inform them that he or she will be attending another school. If notification to the school is not done, the government will consider the child to be truant. At the same time, request student records from the previous school so that the homeschool has complete cumulative student records as required by California law.

Other options for setting up home schooling include enrolling in independent study programs with a private school, charter school, or even some public school districts. In exchange for restrictions on curriculum and tuition, independent study programs provide materials and support for homeschoolers. Contact local schools and local homeschooling groups to find available options.

California Homeschooling High School

Public school students are required to take the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to graduate. Private school students are not subject to this requirement. Homeschool students need to meet the graduation requirements of their school, which may be entirely determined by the parents.

The GED or the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam) may be taken to validate a student's academic program, but this is not required. Only a diploma from the homeschool is needed.

College admissions tests such as the SAT, ACT, or the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) exam do not require attendance at any particular high school. For example, it is not necessary to have taken any formal AP class in order to take an AP exam.

Colleges are not required to waive any admissions requirements for homeschoolers, including those that have to do with standardized tests. It is important that students who want to go to college learn how to do well on standardized tests, even if the tests were not part of the homeschool curriculum.

References:

California Department of Education.

California Homeschool Network. "Just the Facts."

Homeschool Association of California.

The copyright of the article How to Homeschool in California in Homeschooling is owned by John Wu. Permission to republish How to Homeschool in California in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

CA Homeschooling is Legal

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