California Homeschool Network Blog

CHN Expo Coming Up Soon

The California Homeschool Network Expo is coming up August 1st, 2nd and 3rd!

Every year we have a great time and the best part is staying at the hotel together for a few days and having a non-stop homeschool party!

You can reserve a hotel room without paying anything until you get there, so if you are even thinking that you would like to join us this year for some great homeschool sessions, speakers, great activities and lots of fun and family camaraderie, go ahead and reserve a room before they are all gone! The price is a special deal of only $88 per night, and there are only a few rooms left! Don’t miss out!

Teachers Speak Out!

Teachers are speaking out loud and clear FOR homeschooling! Please pass the link on to others who need a bit of encouragement right now.

All the quotes here are from the teachers who have signed CHN’s new petition that says that they don’t think homeschooling parents need a teaching credential. And since they all have credentials, they are in the best position to know if a credential is needed!

Over 100 teachers have responded so far, and they’re still signing! It’s good to get this kind of support Please share the link to the petition, and perhaps we’ll get more teachers signing the petition!

CA Homeschooling Joint Statement

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Contact: Loren Mavromati

California Homeschool Organizations Unite

The major homeschooling organizations in California, along with the Virginia based HSLDA, announce today that they are working together in a united effort to preserve independent homeschooling in California as it has been practiced for decades. Representatives from the California based organizations are meeting in Sacramento today to discuss homeschooling and distribute their joint statement.

Joint Statement Regarding Homeschooling In California

The following organizations, California Homeschool Network, Christian Home Educators Association of California, Private and Home Educators of California and HomeSchool Association of California, represent the major California-based organizations working on a statewide basis to support private homeschooling. They, together with the Home School Legal Defense Association, which also works in California to support private homeschooling and which has members in California, jointly issue the following statement:

1. We are united in the goal of protecting the right of parents to teach their children privately at home without additional governmental interference.

2. We believe that children deserve to learn in the environment that best meets their individual needs. We support the right of parents to direct their children’s education including, if they desire, teaching their children privately at home apart from any public school program and without a teaching credential.

3. We believe that the opinion rendered by the Second District Court of Appeals in the case titled “In re Rachel L.” on February 28, 2008 is excessively broad in its scope and incorrectly states the law as applied to home education in California.

4. We believe that the interpretation of California law, as understood by our organizations and by the California Department of Education prior to the issuance of this decision, is correct, that the interests of both the State of California in ensuring that children are educated adequately and of parents in directing their children’s education are well met by this prior interpretation of law, and that no change in California law regarding the teaching of children privately at home is needed.

For further information, please contact these organizations as follows:

California Homeschool Network
P.O. Box 55485
Hayward, CA 94545
1-800-327-5339
Loren Mavromati, President

Christian Home Educators Association of California
P.O. Box 2009
Norwalk, CA 90651-2009
1-562-864-2432
Mary Schofield, Esq., Vice President

Private and Home Educators of California
P.O. Box 730
Lincoln, CA 95648-0730
1-916-786-3523
Roy Hanson, Director
Jim Davis, Legislative Liaison and Dir

HomeSchool Association of California
P.O. Box 77873
Corona, CA 92877
1-888-472-4440
Debbie Schwarzer, Esq., Legislative Chair

Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, VA 20134-9000
1-540-338-5600
J. Michael Smith, Esq.

Jack O’Connell, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Issues Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHONE:
916-319-0818
March 11,
2008

SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O’CONNELL ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING HOME
SCHOOLING IN CALIFORNIA

SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that the California Department of Education has completed a legal review of the February 28 California Court of Appeal ruling regarding home schooling. O’Connell issued the following statement:
“I have reviewed this case, and I want to assure parents that chose to home school that California Department of Education policy will not change in any way as a result of this ruling. Parents still have the right to home school in our state. “Every child in our state has a legal right to get an education, and I want every child to get an education that will prepare them for success in college and the world of work in the challenging global economy.
“As the head of California’s public school system, I hope that every parent would want to send their children to public school. However, traditional public schools may not be the best fit for every student. Within the public school system there are a range of options available. Students can take independent study classes, attend a charter school, or participate in non-classroom-based programs. But some parents choose to send their children to private schools or to home school, and I respect that right.

“I admire the dedication of parents who commit to oversee their children’s education through home schooling. But, no matter what educational program a student participates in, it is critical that the program prepares them for future success in the global economy. I urge any parent who is considering or involved in home schooling their children to take advantage of resources and support available through their county or district offices of education.”

Special Notice from the CHN Membership Chair

Dear CHN Members,

California homeschooling is currently making state and national news, and if you haven’t heard about it yet, you will soon. CHN is fielding hundreds of phone calls and even more emails. We want our members to know about this situation because with the sudden media attention, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers will soon be asking if you know that it’s now “illegal to homeschool in California.” With CHN’s help, you’ll be able to tell them the entire story, and also tell them that homeschoolers are not breaking the law!

The Problem

On February 28th, the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles County wrote a ruling against homeschooling. Faced with one homeschooling family with a long history of problems, the court chose to write that all parents do not have a right to homeschool unless the parent has a teaching credential! This ruling may impact all homeschoolers, including those who are enrolled in independent study programs or charters.

The court opinion is being taken very seriously. Karen Taylor and Loren Mavromati from CHN have participated in two conference calls this week with the California groups HSC, CHEA, Family Protection Ministry, and Virginia based HSLDA. The groups are cooperating and working closely together as we mutually look for the best resolution for all homeschoolers.

Our Joint Current Opinion

The CA state group leaders along with national HSLDA are in agreement that nothing has changed, and it is as legal to homeschool in California today as it was before this ruling. You may hear otherwise in the media, so remain aware and read the latest information at CHN’s legal updates page:

http://californiahomeschool.net/howTo/updates.htm

This is where you can read the actual court document along with commentary. We are updating it daily so that you will have the latest information, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing the important facts. We are also discussing the issue on the CaliforniaHS elist as well as CHN’s members only elist, The Grapevine.

What is Being Done

CHN and HSC are in contact with law firms who are interested in helping defend our freedoms in California. Because HSLDA has members in CA, they are also doing the same. Individual briefs will likely be written, and requests to “depublish” the report will be submitted. If the depublish requests are successful, it would be removed from public record, and would not be cited against homeschoolers. We think there’s an excellent chance that it will be successful, but if not, we’ll continue to defend homeschooling in other ways. All groups are opposed to legislation, unless there is no other option.

What Can YOU do?

We know the first impulse is to call a legislator, but we ask that you do not do that. Please remember that legislation could lead to restrictions in homeschooling.

* CHN has had great success in the past in rallying state homeschoolers at just the right time to make a huge difference. If we notify you and ask for assistance, please respond.

* We ask that you encourage your homeschooling friends to join CHN. It’s time that every homeschooler in California join a state group, so that we can be as strong as possible in fighting this.

* Please join CHN’s statewide email list at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaHS/

We want that list to continue to grow, so that when media members are researching homeschooling, they’ll see that thousands of members are on the list. It’s impressive now, and we want to make it more so! Even if you choose “no mail”, please join the list as a way to increase our numbers. Of course, we’ll also welcome you to participate in the daily discussions, as you have time!

Volunteers Needed

contact: chn_volunteer@Californiahomeschool.net

* We need homeschoolers willing to talk to the media. Most reporters want to talk to a typical homeschooler, and some have special requests that can be hard to match up with the kind of homeschooler they want.

* It’s critical that we carefully monitor legislation this year. If you like internet searches and research, please help. No experience necessary.

* We need everyone to stay calm and keep enjoying your homeschooling experience! We know that CHN members can do that!

CHN’s Legal Defense Fund

The CHN Legal Defense Fund was established in 2000. CHN has not solicited funds in many years. However, we believe there is now a need, as we prepare to work with attorneys to build a good defense for CHN members. Donations may be sent to:

CHN Legal Defense Fund
PO Box 402427
Hesperia, CA 92340-2427

Credit card donations may be made online at CHN’s online store or calling (800) 327-5339.

Thank you for your continued support. Remember, it’s time to be fully aware, but it’s not time to be afraid.

California Homeschool Network
www.CaliforniaHomeschool.net
(800) 327-5339

How You Can Help California Homeschooling

Many homeschoolers are asking how they can help during this legal crisis. It’s frustrating to sit and wait and worry. Please know that CHN has had great success in the past in rallying state homeschoolers at just the right time to make a huge difference. If you are on one of our email lists, you’ve already done something, because you are going to get the information and be ready to help.

There are other ways you can help:

1. If you would feel comfortable handling a media call, please email Loren, CHN president. The requests for interviews are coming in fast and furious, and often the reporter wants to talk to a “typical” homeschooler, so this is something many of you could do. It would be nice to have a list of willing homeschoolers from around the state.

2. Join a state group (or renew) today, please. I’ve been a member of California Homeschool Network since 1996, and I would love to have you become a fellow member! The cost is just $30/year. If not CHN, then make it HSC or CHEA, please. It’s crucial! This is a very important way to stand up and help make homeschooling strong, and we need every one of you now. Want to know “who we are“? Want to join?

3. Once you’ve joined one of the groups, please encourage all your homeschooling friends to join too. Let’s make homeschooling history by becoming the state with the most active homeschoolers in the country!

4. Consider donating to CHN’s legal fund after you’ve become a member. CHN has a legal defense fund that was established in 2000. You can read about it on CHN’s website so that you’ll know how your donation will be used. We are now gratefully accepting donations because there will be costs incurred in the defense of our parental freedom to choose the education of our children, and the homeschool leaders recognize that our strongest defense will come if the state groups in California take an active participation as individual organizations, while at the same time working together in a spirit of cooperation. If your children are old enough, consider including them and making it a family goal to give up perhaps a fast food meal and contribute to the cause. It will be a powerful lesson in activism for your kids!

5. Invite your friends to join the CaliforniaHS list. It’s a good way to get information out, and it also gives our opponents some good statistics to look at and worry about. There are over 1,800 list members right now - what if there were 3,000, or more? Invite a friend to join you on the list!

6. Read and forward the legal updates link. It’s being updated daily!

We’ll post other ways to help in the weeks to come!

Karen Taylor
CHN Legal Committee

Update on California Judges’ Homeschool Opinion

There is a lot of talk going on right now about the Long case, where the judges ruled against the family educating their children under a private school ISP. You can read more here.
It’s frustrating not to be able to do anything, but be assured that CHN, HSC, CHEA and HSLDA are working together to get all the facts, and to make the most effective effort possible to work this out.

Right now, the best way to help with the situation is to be patient. If you would like to support CHN in its efforts, consider joining or renewing your membership.

You can also join the CHN e-list, which has regular updates about the situation.

Thank you for your continuing support and thank you for helping the California groups by remaining strong and informed.

CHN’s 2008 Family Expo and Graduation

CHN’s 2007 Family Expo registration page is up. Don’t miss out on the great hotel deal by signing up early. There’s also a new low price for couples. And as always, grandparents are free.

Also at the Expo is the 2008 graduation ceremony. If your child is graduating this year, don’t miss out on this opportunity to do something special.

CHN eZine - November

In case you missed it, here is the link to the most recent edition of the CHNzine. Included in this month’s zine are articles on the PSA, choosing legitimate homeschool programs, unschooling curriculum, camping news and more! Enjoy.

CHN Campout at Carpenteria

There’s still time to reserve a spot to camp with homeschoolers at CHN’s fall campout at Carpinteria! It all happens in just one month!

The private camping elist will start tonight, so if you’ve registered and paid, look for your invitation. Yes, it’s time to start thinking about the beach!

Some plans are in the works, including:

Monday afternoon membership meeting (moved from Wednesday so that all the trustees could be there)

Knitting and crocheting instruction

Arts and crafts projects

We’re bringing the new CHN stage that some of the kids played on at the Expo - get ready for a performance!

A nature walk out to the tidepools, probably on Wednesday and maybe Thursday too!

Kids will be exploring another science kit on loan from the San Bernardino Museum

Need some help with your PSA? We’ll have samples and show you how to fill the form out!

AND there will be many homeschool chats on various topics of interest!

Join us!