Hello From SoCal!

[Tami Johnson]

I came across this forum while searching for information on how to enter into the World of "Unschooling".

I currently home school my 14 year old through a local Charter School, and I am tired and fed up with the requirements of the program, the endless trips to campus for meetings and document drop off/pick up, and most of all, dealing with a generalized course work that is of no interest to my daughter nor in line with what her future goals are. 

My main question I have is how to go about pulling her out of school without violating the laws. I mean, after all, I wouldn't want to go to jail or have to deal with any sort of "school official(s)" when I am simply just trying to parent my own child. I read information on line about submitting an application for a "Private School", is this the only way or is there a specific "Unschooling" program that streamlines the process of following State Guidelines/Requirements?

Any information is greatly appreciated. 

Tami from San Diego County

Email- [e-mail]

[Joyce Fetteroll]

Sandra Dodd has a page of links to unschooling resources by country and state:

http://sandradodd.com/world

There's a group for San Diego.

As far as the law in concerned in almost all states, you're homeschooling. (In MA it's called "educated otherwise".) None of the states recognize unschooling specifically as an alternative. The form your homeschooling takes is up to you as long as you're meeting the state's requirements. In California you declare yourself a private school. The site that has the information you need to meet the requirements is:

Homeschool Association of California

Joyce

[Tami Johnson]

Joyce-

Thank you so much for your response. The links were very useful!

Have a beautiful day!!

Tami

[Tami Johnson]

I filled out the Private School Application. I entered "None of the above" for tax exemption as I do not plan on writing anything off related to the "School". Anybody have suggestions/advice on that piece?

I have been homeschooling my daughter for over a year now through a school district, and just want to have the freedom to teach her what she wants to learn and what stimulates her. My daughter is very high functioning with social anxieties (Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder/Chiari Malformation Type1) and would benefit from her own learning choices. So frustrating.....The public school system that is. I just don't want to encounter any legal issues along the way for something that should be the families choice anyway, especially when the Public School options are lack luster if that! 

[Joyce Fetteroll]

It's really best to ask on a California list. Every state is different. How to present unschooling to meet state requirements really needs people who are familiar with the nuances of the laws in the state.

[Tami Johnson]

Thanks for the response Joyce.

I will browse the site tomorrow and find a California thread. I just figured I would throw the questions out there in the "Intro" section since it is general.

~Smiles