California Homeschool Options
Q: "What are my options for homeschooling in California?"**
A: When I first realized that our family was going to homeschool, I had NO CLUE how to go about it. I didn't even know there were options. I just figured, homeschool is homeschool, and that was that. Times sure have changed and I'm glad to be a part of it. Here are the different options for California...
~Charter Schools/Independent Study Programs (ISP)
~Private Satellite Programs (PSP)
~Affidavit
Q: "Help! What's the difference?"
A: Charter Schools/ISPs such as River Springs, Sky Mountain, California Virtual Academy (CAVA), and Community Home Education Program (CHEP) are public schools that have no tuition fees and participate in state testing. Basically, this is as main stream as you can get for homeschooling. Usually, you are assigned a credentialed teacher that you meet with every month or so and they guide you through the process. These schools take care of the "formal" paper work that is needed when doing a transfer, going to college or keeping an attendance log. These schools are public, so with that in mind, each charter/ISPs have their rules and regulations. The charters/ISPs option for homeschool was not affected by the, "In re Rachel L." Decision. That's because these options fall into the "public school" category, even though it's still homeschool. Confusing huh?
Private Satellite Programs (PSP) is exactly what it sounds like. Private, not public. There are a few categories that fall under PSPs: Regular private schools (some) that also have an option for homeschool, an individual family that becomes their own school with an Affidavit, individuals who become a school as a group that homeschools. Okay, now I'm getting confused! I'll do my best to differentiate between them. Stick with me, because at least you'll have a better understanding than when I first started and you will be able to make the right choice for your family.
There are many differences between charter schools/ISPs and PSPs. Here are some of the big differences:
A: When I first realized that our family was going to homeschool, I had NO CLUE how to go about it. I didn't even know there were options. I just figured, homeschool is homeschool, and that was that. Times sure have changed and I'm glad to be a part of it. Here are the different options for California...
~Charter Schools/Independent Study Programs (ISP)
~Private Satellite Programs (PSP)
~Affidavit
Q: "Help! What's the difference?"
A: Charter Schools/ISPs such as River Springs, Sky Mountain, California Virtual Academy (CAVA), and Community Home Education Program (CHEP) are public schools that have no tuition fees and participate in state testing. Basically, this is as main stream as you can get for homeschooling. Usually, you are assigned a credentialed teacher that you meet with every month or so and they guide you through the process. These schools take care of the "formal" paper work that is needed when doing a transfer, going to college or keeping an attendance log. These schools are public, so with that in mind, each charter/ISPs have their rules and regulations. The charters/ISPs option for homeschool was not affected by the, "In re Rachel L." Decision. That's because these options fall into the "public school" category, even though it's still homeschool. Confusing huh?
Private Satellite Programs (PSP) is exactly what it sounds like. Private, not public. There are a few categories that fall under PSPs: Regular private schools (some) that also have an option for homeschool, an individual family that becomes their own school with an Affidavit, individuals who become a school as a group that homeschools. Okay, now I'm getting confused! I'll do my best to differentiate between them. Stick with me, because at least you'll have a better understanding than when I first started and you will be able to make the right choice for your family.
There are many differences between charter schools/ISPs and PSPs. Here are some of the big differences:
Charter Schools/ISPs
|
PSPs
|
Affidavit
|
Even if you just understand that there are options, you're way ahead of me when I first started!