Why aren't parents in California, knowing what they know now, looking for ways to rectify the wording in the educational law? I can only foresee that other problems will develop down the line, since the words "home and school" still aren't printed together in the code.
I've asked the same question, and there seems to be two answers:
1. Homeschoolers are afraid to let legislators (who have already attempted to do away with home education) tinker with laws "allowing" home education because families are afraid they may end up worse off than they already are. And...
2. For some families, having permission is enough. They have no desire to affect a bigger change, because they don't see the need for it.
They're not good answers, but that's what I've heard.
Personally, I think an incremental approach might be effective, but I can see that it would be difficult to rally people around the same cause over and over again in order to accomplish the big goal: no permission required.
There is certainly concern than introducing legislation will result in regulations we don't want. We don't want to wind up with restrictions such as those imposed upon families in PA or NY.
I, too, was disturbed by the wording of the ruling and did not see it as the unmitigated "triumph" it was celebrated as on local lists.
There's a bit of a disconnect, though, between the daily reality of homeschooling in CA and the freedoms as defined by legal code. In Virginia, where local HS groups had fought hard (and continue to fight) for wording in the regulations that specifically recognizes parents' rights to declare their intention to homeschool, I did have more paperwork and more accountability requirements (end of year proof of progress, annual curriculum description) to file than I do here in CA, where I have registered as a private school.
Under the private school provision, I have no proof of progress requirement. I do not have to communicate with any school official. I have complete freedom in choosing materials and method. I am required to keep daily attendance records but do not have to turn them any to any agency.
So on a practical daily level, I homeschool here in more freedom, with fewer hoops to jump through. The state calls it a private school, terminology that doesn't bother me: it is a very small, very exclusive private school whose main campus is my own home.
But yes, I absolutely agree that the manner in which the state grants me "permission" to make this educational choice for my family is disturbing, to say the least, and is part of a creeping erosion of parental rights this state is steadily achieving.
I do think the CA HS groups are working and watchdogging. But I think a big push for "good" legislation right now could result in a much worse situation, both in the statutes AND on the practical daily level. As you say, Natalie, incremental change is probably the wisest approach. And I think that's what the CA HS groups are working for.
Since this post was initiated on ‘08 the state of California has begun paying for online high school courses. Students can go to school from home 100% online and all the curriculum is provided. Here’s a short video about Kaplan’s online high school program for California students.
Here’s a short video about Kaplan’s online high school program for California students.
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