The Four Homeschool Options in California
Private Education
Options One and Two
Public Education
Option Three and Four
Home-Based
Pros and Cons
PSP
Pros and Cons
Private homeschooling is a practice that functions under private school law in California. Private homeschooling does not fall under authority of the public school system.
1. A single-family private homeschool (home based) is a private school established in a family’s own home for their own children and files their own private school affidavit (PSA).
2. A private school satellite program (PSP) is a multi-family private school that files one private school affidavit, whether it be a private-campus based school or a private school composed entirely of homeschool families.
To find a PSP near you, contact Christian Home Educators of California (CHEA).
3. Charter schools, including those that offer a homeschool option, function as public schools under the control of the public school system.
4. An Independent Study Program (ISP) is a program in which education is required to be provided by a public school and supervised by a certified teacher employed by the public school.
Advantages:
- Parents are in total control of child’s education.
Disadvantages:
- Parents may feel need for some accountability.
If you have further questions about the legality of private homeschooling, we recommend that you contact the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). HSLDA is the very best resource for all legal, regulation issues, and questions related to private homeschooling.
Advantages:
- Parent does not have to interact with the state, therefore neither the state nor local school district has information about the child’s school or location where the education is taking place.
- Many PSP’s offer help for parents educating their children beyond the simple filing of the private school affidavit (PSA) by keeping attendance and other records. For example, staff may offer expertise in specific areas that address education problems that arise with students.
- Diploma issued might have more credibility.
- Might be able to participate in California CIF sports competition at the high school level.
Disadvantages:
- Parents will generally have to pay for these services.
- Parents are under the authority of the PSP as it relates to their child’s education.
You can save a copy of this information for future reference, which also includes a chart that easily and visually differentiates between all homeschool options.
Additionally, on the right, you can watch The Frontline Podcast, episode 18, where Nathan goes over this information in further detail.
Why are private homeschools classified as “private schools,” and not as “homeschools” in California law?
- In California, and fourteen other states, “private homeschools” operate as private schools.
On August 8, 2008, the California Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District confirmed in their In re Jonathan L. ruling (formerly In re Rachel L.) that “California statutes permit homeschooling as a species of private school education.”
- Private schools who file a Private School Affidavit in compliance with the law include traditional private campus schools, parents who operate a private homeschool/private school in their home, and private school satellite programs (PSPs).
According to the California Education Code, there is no distinction between private homeschools and any other type of private school that files an affidavit.
- Separating “private homeschools” or “private schools based in the home” out from under the umbrella of the “private school” category sets the stage for further regulation of private homeschooling.
Some recent bills have sought to distinguish private homeschools from other private school options. In 2018, AB 2756 would have created various categories for private schools, separating those that meet in a home from those that meet on a campus or at a church. That same year, AB 2926 would have established a committee that would advise the State Board of Education on matters regarding homeschools. Providentially, both of those bills died in committee. You can read about that victory here.
Such legislation is often motivated by horrific cases of abuse, such as occurred with the shocking case involving the Turpin family in Perris, CA in 2018. Proponents of these types of bills erroneously insinuate that being homeschooled is a contributing cause of abuse. However, research does not support such a claim.
- FPM has valiantly fought for years to keep the term “private homeschool” out of the California Education Code.
The introduction of the term “private homeschool” into the Education Code makes it easy to separate private homeschoolers from the rest of the private schools for future regulation. Such language would open the door for thousands of families to have their rights curtailed because of something they had no part of. FPM will always fight any bill that attempts to infringe on the rights of parents to train, educate and care for their children privately, without government interference.
You can save a copy of this information for future reference, which also includes a chart that easily and visually differentiates between all homeschool options.
Additionally, you can watch The Frontline Podcast, episode 18, where Nathan goes over this information in further detail.