Home School In California
Apr 06 '01
The Bottom Line Home schooling isn't for everyone. You should find a local home schooling group to help you get started.
My name is Denise, and I am a Home Schooling mother of three. Here is my story then some general facts and California Law.
My Story:
When this all began Jeff and I were a family living in the Bay Area. The public school where our daughter would go is the same on I went to. NO WAY. Some of my teachers', were STILL there teaching! No way I was going to let her have the same teachers I had!
So we looked into our church's private school. Holy Spirit had an excellent teacher/student ratio and there was an aide in each class to boot. Great recommendations. So we signed Jessica into their Pre-K program. She went faithfully all year. Then came time for Pre-K's recommendations for continuing onto the main school. Jessica made the list.
Now onto how we yanked her out,and ran the other way! She went for her interview. She had entered a classroom with a teacher at the desk with an observer in the rear. The teacher asked my daughter her name, then asked her to sit at any desk quietly. After a few minutes Jessica asked the teacher "why do you have a plant over your desk?" The teacher asked her to remain quiet, with no further questions. Jessica sat another minute,and again asked the teacher "why do you have a plant over your desk?" {Meanwhile Jes was wiggling and playing with the paper on her desk.} The teacher finally asked Jes, "why shouldn't I have a plant over my desk?" Jessica replied, "because when you water it, all the water will drip onto your desk." With this, the teacher got up, and had Jessica follow her outside where I was waiting.
Her words exactly! "Jessica will be perfect for our program once she is on RIDLIN." She was smart enough for their program, but she was also VERY hyper. This is where we hunted for another alternative.
General Facts & CA Laws:
California allows home schooling under the private school sector. Private schools do not have to have teachers with credentials. THEY DO HAVE THEM THOUGH! Good schools, I admit with wonderful educated teachers. So this is where I fall. My home is a private school, with one student. We have to file an R-4 form with the school district. We have a principal, my husband, and I am the teacher. My boys do not qualify until first grade, to be counted as a student.
There are other forms of home schooling in California that are all legal. First is private school, next is ISP {Independent Study Program} that is through the local public school system, then is private tutor. A private tutor is a.} a parent who is a 'legal' teacher or another adult over 18 who is a 'legal' teacher. This person teaches in the child[ren's] home and sends all documents to the local school district.
Common Questions People Ask:
HOW ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?
This question gets a laugh out of me all the time. We are hardly ever home. We are in a group of 35 other families that all home school in different ways. So there are park days, field trips, museums, play dates, and holiday parties. The list goes on. As a group, the childrens' ages range from two to 17. There are more girls than boys. But you'd never know it. Everybody plays together no matter the age or the sex.
There are sometimes a 'unit study' taught by one or more parents. That has different aged activities for all age groups. I personally teach sign language. I do set up two different classes, that are separated by skill, rather than age. We have had my husband teach, Automotive 101, {he is an ASE master smog tech} to anyone who could see over the engine of a car. It was a Saturday class, that was mostly boys 16 or close to it, there were three girls with their dads, who learned a little themselves. :)
Our group has many nationalities, and religious differences. The children are very 'community' minded children. Enough said. Next...
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING?
This IS a very difficult question to answer. But who knows your child better? You, their parent! You know they know how to read, when they pick up a book, and read it. You see it. You know when they have mastered something in math, when they are adding their allowance for a special something, then decide how much longer till they have enough. You see it. I think you get my drift.
HOW DO I FIND 'SCHOOL' BOOKS & TEACHING MATERIAL?
Depending on where you live there is probably a store locally that has what you'll need. If not there are literally thousands of companies out there that sell these materials new or even used. Personally I get 'school books' from Bob Jones University Press and Alpha Omega. Anything else I need is in a local educational store, or even Wal-Mart/Target.
I could go on and on. If you are interested in home schooling in any state, E-mail me. mrsditmer@msn.com I can get your questions answered, and find out your legal rights, for the state you live in.
Warning: not legal in every state!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
mrsditmer
|
|
Location: El Paso, Texas, USA
Reviews written: 184
Trusted by: 39 members
About Me:
I am a mom of 3 kids, and manager of my personal zoo.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.