Homeschooling in California: How Does It Work?

With the COVID-19 pandemic still looming large, homeschooling is quickly becoming the norm rather than an exception. This is especially evident in highly-populated areas where the disease has a higher probability to spread. The state of California is one location, and it has seen the government suspend in-person teaching.

However, while homeschooling is quite fine – and legal – different laws and regulations govern how it’s done in different places. For example, for homeschooling to be considered legal in California, parents have to do one of five things:

• Set up a private school in their home
• Enroll in a public charter school program
• Enroll in a private school offering a satellite program
• Have a California-certified teaching degree or certificate or hire a private tutor who does
• Have their child attend a public school that also offers independent study

Certain conditions also must be met before you can take on any of the above homeschooling scenarios. For instance, children from grades one to 12 must be enrolled in a school that is considered legal. The person designated as the private school teacher has to be proven as someone capable of teaching. You also have to file Private School Affidavit to set up a home-based private school, as well as provide all the necessary instructional, curricular, and other related materials.

Having passed all the hurdles to start your child off in homeschooling in California, there are several things you need to do in tandem with the teaching process:

1. You need to have a copy of the private school affidavit
2. You will need to maintain a record of attendance to show your child is going to school. This can be done via a regular calendar or by marking in a book register
3. You should list out the courses of study being offered
4. Have on hand copies of the qualifications of a homeschooling teacher (or your own if you are the one who will be doing the teaching)
5. Be able to show your child’s immunization records

As you can see, homeschooling in California can be quite tough, but it is to ensure your child is on track with learning. What’s more, the more detailed you are in your records and ensure you are following the homeschooling rules, the easier it will be for your child when they are moving from another grade, especially when they are ready for high school.

Finding a Homeschooling Teacher in California

If you are not able to homeschool your child, whether it’s because you don’t have the credentials or the experience, you will need to find a suitable teacher. Luckily, you don’t have to look too far. California offers many opportunities to connect with professional teachers. For starters, there are several job agencies, such as Indeed and Adventure Nannies, which can help you find the right tutor for homeschooling in California. You can also check out whether your local public or charter schools offer enrolment in homeschooling programs.

Homeschooling in California is not that different from anywhere else. Once you follow the rules and ensure your pupil is on-track with what is being taught, it can work out to be a beneficial program that benefits both you and your child.