Homeschooling in California
Hi, my name is Laura, and I am the California state representative for Time4Learning!
I am the mom to six kids, all adopted and all special needs. We have been homeschooling for almost 8 years now.
If you have questions or comments about homeschooling in California, contact the California Parent Forum.
Options For Homeschooling in California
| According to the HSLDA, homeschoolers in California have four options for teaching their children at home: 1)file an affadavit to function as a private school, 2) enroll in a private school satellite homeschool program, 3) have home instruction provided by a certified tutor, or 4)enroll in an independent study program at home using home school curriculum.
It is nice to have choices in the best way to homeschool our children. Because of the different options for homeschooling in California, it is easy to find some way that fits your family best. Our family is currently using a charter school. In the past, and starting next year, we will be filing a PSA so that we will be our own private school
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Making Connections in our State
I am the state wide contact for families with special needs children for California Homeschool Network. I have also created a group that gets together for projects related to the current season or holidays and go on field trips.
Our Homeschool Day
So what does an average homeschool day look like in our house? The kids go through their morning routine of eating, showering, dressing and morning chores. Then they have some play time while I finish any chores I need to do. We then work on lessons and/or projects we are doing. The older kids help doing preschool with the younger children too. After lunch, the older kids read while the younger ones are going down for naps. Then if they have anything left to finish up for the day, they do that. Playtime, chores, helping with meals and then computer and phone time for them with their friends.
That is a typical at home day. If we have outings or park day, then we just adapt any lesson time around those activities. The kids also have art classes, karate, science and writing classes to attend so that has to be worked into the day.
California Homeschool Regulations
Legal disclaimer.
This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in California. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
For more information on specific homeschooling requirements in California, visit one of these sites:: California Legal Requirements by HSDLA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association); Home-Ed Magazine’s CA resource page -with information, articles, and state-specific resources; and info on Home Education in California by Ann Zeise.
Resources to Help You Homeschool in California
Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of Alabama homeschool resources available online. We've listed a few of the best here to get you started:
To have your group added to the list, please send me a message at the California Parent Forum under my screen name: Dustydon
Choosing Homeschool Curriculum
California homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool curriculum.. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool curricula, trying to create the best match for their child.
For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool curricula can even be more problematic. What works for one child, doesn't work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.
Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.
Time4Learning is used by homeschool parents both as a primary curriculum and as a supplemental program to other materials such as Saxon, Alpha Omega, Five in a Row and A Beka. Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:
- Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multimedia materials.
- Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
- Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing the each lesson. Quizzes and tests are graded by the computer, saving valuable time and effort for parents who would be happier concentrating on other areas.
- Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.
- Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children, risk free! Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.
If you have more questions about homeschooling in California, or want to learn more about our experiences in the state, you can contact me in the Parent forum at The California Homeschool Section.
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