by Lisa Van Dam

Created on: December 31, 2009

Homeschooling can be a difficult decision for many parents. A large part of that decision is understanding the home school laws. Home school laws for California are fairly lenient. There are not many records that are required to be kept. There is also not much paperwork that is required to be filled out. So, let's take a look at how to start home schooling in California.

Your first step is to decide which home school method you will use. Here is a resource for understanding the different methods: http://www.helium.com/items/1697724-homeschool-metho ds. If you will be enrolling in a charter or virtual school located in the state, you do not need to do anything after you enroll, they will provide everything. If you are not enrolling in a charter or virtual school, continue the following steps.

Look for local home school support groups in your area. These groups are great for connecting with and learning from other home school families.

Once you have decided on a method you will need to find curriculum that suits that method. You can search for used curriculum on-line. Also many support groups will share curriculum.

In order to home school in California you must first establish a private school. To establish a private school in your home you must file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the state. This must be done on-line at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/Affidavit.asp. This form must be filed annually between Oct 1 and Oct 15. When you first start home schooling file right away, then file again between the regular filing dates.

Fortunately CA does not require a lot of recording keeping. You are required to keep a copy of your PSA for three years. You are also required to keep attendance records. If you are homeschooling children other than your own there are additional requirements for background screenings and TB testing.

Now, if your child has already been enrolled in another school, you can send a letter requesting the records for your child. If the school fails to send you the records, don't worry, you are not required to have them. The only records that will follow your child are high school records.

Now you can begin home schooling. You will need to decide based on the method that you chose how you want to structure your days.

*Consider joining HSLDA.org. They are a non-profit legal group for homeschoolers (HSLDA does not accept members enrolled in public charter or virtual schools).

Resource: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/California.pdf

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