Here is a link for registering in CA. http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/affidavit.asp It is really simple. We moved to CA less than a year ago and it just takes 5 minutes to register as a private homeschool. You aren't in San Bernardino County are you? We are always trying to meet other homeschoolers locally.
To answer the question from a previous poster, in California, you just have to file an annual affadavit on line once a year between October 1 to October 15. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/affidavit.asp
That is so sad that you get that response. I actually have had my son in a charter school in California for 4 years....but I have always considered myself a homeschooler because the only thing the Charter School did was supply the materials and have my son come in for any state tests....but with the new Common Core testing I have finally decided to become an independent homeschooler next year. I have met a few independent homeschoolers and I am actually impressed with their ability to homeschool on their own and I am looking forward to doing the same with my son. Those that look at you like you are crazy probably realize that they could not do it themselves. It is a lot of responsibility to have your childs education completely in your hands. That is why I originally decided to use a charter school. I could not imagine taking on all that responsibility. But as I starting teaching my son how to read and write I realized what a blessing and privilege it really is. My child's education is very important to me and with the Common Core standards here in California, I realized that even the charter schools are focusing all their attention on the tests and not on really teaching our children what they really need. So, I like many moms, have decided to take that leap and independently homeschool. My hat is off to all independent homeschoolers....it is hard work when done correctly...but well worth it!!!!
The problem is not that you homeschool. The problem is that most Americans are brainwashed into believing that anything that does not have some sort of organizational oversight, is not "Legitimate". This applies to all areas of life, not only to homeshooling. For example. If you say you are a Christian, the first question you are asked is, "What church do you go to?". Essentially what this question is saying is, "What organizational oversight and authority are you under, so we can judge whether we think you are qualified by our standards". If you respond to the question by saying that you are an independent Christian (do not have a church), they are not only afraid of you because they have nothing they can use to judge the validity of your faith by, but they actually feel threatened and attacked by you. Why is it this way? Because, most Christians have been led to believe that being part of an organized church structure is essential and crucial to the Christian faith and that without some sort of human authority and oversight in your life, you are in danger of being misled, deceived or becoming self diluted. This belief of the need for a human organizational structure and authority is fundamental and core to their belief system. So, when you state that you are not under a religious human authority and organizational structure, they receive that as an attack against them, because you are saying that you do not believe that it is necessary to be under a church to be a good Christian. If in fact, you are very strong Christian with an obviously sound relationship with Jesus and are well versed in scripture and balanced in your doctrine, this does not make them feel better about you; it makes them afraid of you. It makes them afraid because your existence as an independent Christians clearly demonstrates that what they have been led to believe is crucial to the Christian walk is actually false. Your existence challenges everything they believe in and they feel threatened by you. Because, if you can exist as an independent Christian, then what need is there of the organizational denominational church structure? In they same manner, most Americans have been led to believe that there must be some sort of organizational authority involved for a child to be "Properly" educated. By the same token, they too are threatened and feel attacked when you tell them that you are an independent homeschooler. The fact that you can teach your children and be successful at it without their, "Oh so necessary" organizational oversight, challenges their fundamental belief and begs them to ask the question, "If children can be homeschooled successfully without organizational oversight, then why do we need it?" They answer is, "We don't". But without the help of an organizational authority, it places a huge burden of responsibility upon the shoulders of the parent to make sure their kids are properly educated, and it is this that frightens them. The simple truth is, they do not want, are unwilling, or flat refuse to accept the full responsibility to teach their kids and prefer to shirk this God given responsibility onto someone else. This is why the majority of parents that consider themselves to be Christians, still choose to send their kids to public school where they know that they will be taught anti-God and anti-Christ doctrines. Others may choose to send their kids to "So called" Christians schools, but the reason is the same. For those that do choose to homeschool, the majority still feel that they need some sort of organizational authority to oversee them and make sure they are doing it right, because they are still convinced of the absolute necessity for it, and because without it, their burden of responsibility would increase immensely. The bottom line is that, when you do not go along with the status quo, people will not want to be around you because they see you as a "Maverick" and you are a danger to their way of thinking. The truth is, the fact that you as an independent homeschooler have accepted the full responsibility teach your children (God's original design) makes them feel guilty about their own choices. Of course, I am speaking in generalities here and not in specificity. While what I have said may apply to a lot of people, it may not apply to everyone. Some people are simply victims of their culture and don't ever really challenge what their culture has taught them and just reject anything that does not agree with what their culture has taught them on the simple bases that it does not agree with their culture and therefore it must be wrong.
No. unfortunately, we are not. We are in San Luis Obispo county. We have not had any luck meeting other homeschoolers either. :cry:
