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Pray & Consider ~ Has He called you? He will equip you! “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10. Seek God's direction in this change for your family. Write down your educational philosophy, why are you considering homeschooling? Knowledge is great, but knowledge with wisdom is much better. Ask God to give you His wisdom as you read, as you decide about legal protection and enrollment options, and as you research curricula.
Educate Yourself ~
Request a new homeschool packet from CHEFA by emailing: CHEFA Membership Inquiries - Neil Mixter @ E-mail. Requests are accepted all year, but are usually mailed out June through March of the next year. Read books
"An Introduction to Homeschooling" is a helpful manual that deals specifically with home education in California. It can be purchased by going to the CHEA website or you can borrow it from the Fresno Evangelical Church Library.
"The Right Choice: Home-Schooling" by Christopher J. Klicka
"A Survivor’s Guide to Home Schooling" by Luanne Shackelford and Susan White
"The High School Handbook, 7th Edition" with California Supplement by Mary Schofield
"Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview" by Israel Wayne - Israel is a homeschool graduate and is the marketing director for Wisdom's Gate, a national publishing company that produces the Home School Digest magazine.
Learn a new language
Prepare Your Home ~
Begin establishing consistent discipline in your home, set clear rules and expect obedience.
Great online article: The Teaching Home: Child Training.
· Prepare your whole family for the life style and structure changes, ranging from new expectations to routine adjustments. · Budget for supplies or curriculum you select or other costs you predict. · Observe your children's learning styles. · Set an example for patience in the transition.
Legalities ~
Most home educators in California enroll their children in a home education school that has been established by the filing of a private school affidavit with the county Office of Education. Below are three different options for enrolling your children.
ISP (Independent Study Program) - These are private schools which have been established by a home schooling family, as stated above. In addition, they have met other requirements for administrating a private school, and are allowing other families to enroll in their private school. You will be responsible for purchasing your own curriculum (none of these schools provide it), and you will be teaching your child(ren) in your own home. The school will provide support, record keeping, and some socialization opportunities such as park days, field trips, holiday parties, etc. Most of these schools charge tuition to cover such costs as newsletters, insurance and record keeping services. (This ISP is not to be confused with the public school independent study program.) For a list of Fresno area ISP’s click here.
Support Group - This is a group of families who have each filed their own private school affidavit and keep their own records, but still desire to get together occasionally for organized activities. These are usually smaller groups and charge little or no tuition. For a list of Fresno area support groups, click here.
Individual Private School - To do this, you will need to file your own private school affidavit and keep records that are required by the state. If you choose this option, An Introduction to Home Education (available from CHEA) has all the information you need about how to begin your private home school.
The New Homeschooler Packet at newhomeschoolers@chefa.org has more details regarding these options.
Home educators in California have enjoyed considerable freedom educating their children. However, the legal climate in California can vary from school district to school district and could change statewide at anytime. We highly recommend you join HSLDA.
Choose Your Curriculum ~ There are several resources available to help you determine what curriculum will work best for your family.
The Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manual - by Cathy Duffy The Big Book of Home Learning - by Mary Pride High School Handbook - by Mary Schofield
Other Home Schoolers - Ask questions and brainstorm with others.
State and Local Conventions provide great opportunities to browse first-hand cirrculum providers.
CHEFA has a yearly used curriculum fair, watch for it in "The Example" (CHEFA monthly newsletter). Get Connected! ~ As a member of CHEFA, take advantage of the plethora of events and activities available to your family. These include: choirs in four age groups, a youth fellowship for 7th through 12th graders, two graduation ceremonies, a fine arts faire, a science faire, classes, parties, school pictures, sports days, picnics, Senior trips and activities, a yearbook, monthly newsletter, and much more. Do not be a lone ranger homeschooler! Connecting with others who share your homeschool journey will make the path much easier to follow!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 |
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FPM |
Family Protection Ministries (Roy Hanson and Jim Davis watch legislation pertinent to family and education issues) |
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CHEFA |
Christian Home Educators of the Fresno Area (local network of homeschoolers) |
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CHEA |
Christian Home Educators Association of California |
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HSLDA |
Home School Legal Defense Association (national legal support) |
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SG |
Support Group. Every family in the support group files their own private school affidavit with the State of California. Families within the group come together for support, field trips, activities, etc. |
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ISP |
Independent Study Program. One family files the affidavit on behalf of the entire school. School provides paperwork, legal covering, and record-keeping. School may or may not provide mentoring, activities, field trips, etc. |
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IF |
Independent Family. One family files an affidavit on behalf of its own family and are not a part of an SG or ISP. (Most locals are members of CHEFA) |