Charter Homeschool Programs

Independent study regulations require that the student meet with a credentialed teacher on a regular basis. "Regular" meetings are defined by each school; some charter schools require weekly meetings, some monthly, whereas others meet with parents every eight weeks. The California Department of Education specifies the number of instructional minutes that are required of each grade level. Students can claim credit for these instructional minutes by doing hands-on projects, going on field trips, or by participating in family activities. Acceptable forms of documentation may include photos, journals, dictation, etc. Charter schools vary in how much documentation is required; some schools require accountability for every instructional minute while other schools simply require that the teacher document that the child performed an amount of work sufficient for the attendance claimed and that she obtain representative samples of the child's work.

Before enrolling in any charter school program, parents should consider the pros and cons. Families who enroll in charter schools benefit from the financial and emotional support that charters provide. In addition, many families treasure being part of a learning community. For many families who are new to homeschooling, doing it alone can feel overwhelming. They gain a certain sense of security in having someone else's input. Charter school participation can also provide field trip opportunities and classes that would otherwise be unaffordable for many families.

Although enrollment in a charter school may offer many benefits, it also has its downside. Some families may find it more difficult to look at a child's strengths and weaknesses without comparing her to what is considered "normal." For many families, one of the greatest benefits of deciding to homeschool lies in the freedom to celebrate the unfolding of the whole child on his/her own schedule. It is so easy, especially with charter programs that are rigid, to feel pressured into making a child perform in order to turn in the required amount of work or so that he or she will score well on the standardized tests. Families need to monitor whether or not their participation in a charter school actually enriches or detracts from their life and their homeschooling journey, especially as charter schools experience more and more pressure to be accountable.

For further information, contact your local charter school directly. For referrals to charter schools in California go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cs/.