April 9, 2008
2008-2009 Enrollment Materials Now Available
Enrollment materials for the 2008-2009 academic year are now available for downloading (PDF). Please note that the early enrollment discount ends on July 5, 2008 - this is the only discount period offered, so please plan ahead.
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April 2, 2008
Update on L.A. Court Case
Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) (and homeschooling parent) has introduced an Assembly Resolution calling for the State Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. Homeschooling legislation is not being introduced.
Additionally, the Second District Court of Appeal (who originally issued the ruling) has agreed to revisit the case and oral arguments will begin in June 2008. Remember, this case began as a child welfare/abuse complaint and wound up with the Second District Court of Appeal ruling that homeschooling was illegal except when instruction was provided by a CA credentialed teacher. The family in this case has been involved in a variety of Department of Family & Child Services investigations since the late 1980s. They have been homeschooling their eight children through the years and are enrolled with Terry Neven's private ISP, Sunland Christian School in Los Angeles County.
So ... while California homeschoolers may still technically be in legal/legislative limbo, it appears that nothing will be changing for awhile (if, at all).
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March 11, 2008
Is Homeschooling Still Legal In California? Yes!
A recent appellate court decision ruled that homeschooling in California is not legal unless the teaching parent has a valid state credential. The case intially began as a child welfare hearing against a Los Angeles County family, who homeschools their eight children. The initial intent was not to rewrite the California Education Code as it pertains to private schools or homeschoolers, but it somehow wound up that way. Media coverage has been widespread, and it has frequently portrayed homeschooling in a less-than-flattering light. As a result, there is a considerable amount of misinformation being disseminated about this case, and what it all means for California homeschoolers.
• If you would like to read the court documents regarding this case, you can download a PDF of the filing.
• Jack O'Connell, California's Superintent of Public Instruction, released the following statement today regarding the status of homeschooling. According to O'Connell, "... I want to assure parents that chose to home school that California Department of Education policy will not change in any way as a result of this ruling. Parents still have the right to home school in our state." The entire statement is included below.
• Attorneys for the nonprofit state homeschooling organizations will be challenging the pertinence of the appellate court ruling to all California homeschooling families. The State Supreme Court will be asked to depublish the opinion, a move that would allow the ruling to stand for the family involved in the child welfare case, but would not set law for all Californians.
• Assembly representative, Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) has introduced an Assembly Resolution calling for the State Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. This resolution, ACR 115, is currently in the Assembly. Nonsectarian nonprofit organization, HSC, has suggested that homeschoolers and other interested parties should contact their local Assembly representative and suggest that he/she vote for it. Individuals can identify and option contact information on the CA State Assembly website. Faxes and phone calls are the preferred method of contacting a legislative representative.
• Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger also decried the appellate court decision.
• Any further updates can be located on the HSC website. You might also consider joining the organization, and/or donating to their legal fund.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE:
916-319-0818
March 11, 2008
E-MAIL: hmclean@cde.ca.gov
SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O'CONNELL ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING HOME SCHOOLING IN CALIFORNIA
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today that the California Department of Education has completed a legal review of the February 28 California Court of Appeal ruling regarding home schooling. O'Connell issued the following statement:
"I have reviewed this case, and I want to assure parents that chose to home school that California Department of Education policy will not change in any way as a result of this ruling. Parents still have the right to home school in our state. "Every child in our state has a legal right to get an education, and
I want every child to get an education that will prepare them for success in college and the world of work in the challenging global economy.
"As the head of California's public school system, I hope that every parent would want to send their children to public school. However, traditional public schools may not be the best fit for every student. Within the public school system there are a range of options available. Students can take independent study classes, attend a charter school, or participate in non-classroom-based programs. But some parents choose to send their children to private schools or to home school,
and I respect that right. "I admire the dedication of parents who commit to oversee their children's education through home schooling. But, no matter what
educational program a student participates in, it is critical that the program prepares them for future success in the global economy. I urge any parent who is considering or involved in home schooling their children to take advantage of resources and support available through their county or district offices of education."
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