After hearing of SB 777 my husband and I have been seriously considering homeschooling our daughter (almost 3 years old) when it is time.
As I expected I am getting some negative feedback from some who insist that the social aspect and interaction, she'd get in public schools is SO important. Although I do agree and know that there are many activities- through our church, for example, for homeschooling families. My argument is also- I went to a private AND public schools and there were plenty of people there who lacked social skills too- so it has a lot to with the individual as well as their opportunities for social activities and growth. Would you agree? What are your thoughts on that issue? I also feel that giving them that "so important" social interaction at a public school does not outweigh the mounding issues we do not agree with. I am happy to be a parent and teach her what we believe when she is presented with ideas we do not and don't intend to "shelter her from the real world"- I know she will have to live in it eventually *laugh*.
I have information I received in the mail from C.L.A.S.S. and REALLY LIKE what I read. Anyone have any experience with them? What other options do we have? Can we get financial help from the government to pay/help pay for the cost?
Did you use a company locally or a homeschool "charter" class?  Did they have school 5 days a week? How did they test? ANY information would be SO helpful!!

Carrie

 I have homeschooled since our first two were 7 years old (they're twins) and they start college in the fall.  It's funny people almost never say oh are you sure you can teach them to read...  they say they'll have no sports and no social life.  Neither is true.  The twins went to public school till the end of first grade and when we started homeschooling our family was just as active as always.   If you check with your state's department of education they usually have a list of the rules for their homeschoolers on their web sites too.  We have lived in a number of different states and have always found our guidelines there.   Every state has different rules.  Some states require testing some don't and you have to figure out testing on your own.   If there's a way to "shelter" children from the world I don't know of it unless you just completely cut off your whole family.  I know I am much closer to my children than I would have been if they had attended public school.  It's not for everyone and there's nothing wrong with public school but, if homeschooling is for you it's a amazing journey you take with your children.  I give my children the option every year to go back to public school and Lilly (11) has never attended public school . They have friends and they hear the "school stories" and attend school functions and they like homeschooling.  Most schools including ours here is great to work with you too.  When we first decided to try it I went to the school and got the names of the books they were using the next year we didn't use them but, I wanted the children to be on the level with their class if things didn't work out so they could go back and fit in.   They never went back...  Homeschooling is a adventure though and some days everything goes so perfect you end the day smiling thinking wow then the next day you look around your destroyed house and think please God don't let us have company and let this day end....  It's all worth it in the end for us.  It's a personal experience though like natural birth or with pain meds... homeschool or public / private school...   There are A LOT of  homeschooling sights on the web now and all kinds of curriculum and most homeschoolers help each other when we first started there was not a lot of help.   We have used or bought and looked at all sorts of curriculum I have a huge huge library.   The bottom line is books collect them read them get ready to own alot of them.  They learn to love to read they will learn wether you teach them or not.   Good Luck.  Donna

Well, I've never heard of SB 777 or CLASS, but here is some enlightenment on the topic of socialization (I hate that word):

http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/042998.htm

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/zysk1.html

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/faqs/a/socialjacobs.htm

http://learninfreedom.org/socialization.html

http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/human-relations/56224.html

http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/144135.aspx

What great responses! What great information. Thank you! I will be checking back on this topic so PLEASE feel free to continue to flood me with information!

Donna,

Is the state's Department of Education website set up specifically for homeschooling? or should I be looking for a specific link on the site?

Michelle,

Thank you for the links! I have book marked them all and I think I will print them and read them over the next day or so!

Care

To read more about SB 777  check it out here: http://www.savecalifornia.com/SB777_051707flooralert.pdf

The short and not-so-sweet of it is this: Starting in Kindergarten and going through High School a student will be able to determine there sex (not their sexual orientation) based on the way the FEEL- NOT based on their anatomy. So if a boy feels like he is a girl he is then considered a girl and he will be given legal rights to use the girls bathroom, locker room etc. and vice versa for girls who feel like they are boys.

Also, all educatioal material will have the words "mother and father" removed and banned from being read or said by teachers and be replaced with "parental units". This is an excerpt from the link above:

"4. SB 777 then proceeds to require all textbooks, instructional materials, classroom
instruction, school sports programs, assemblies, and every schoolsponsored
activity to positively portray (neither “reflects or promotes a discriminatory
bias” nor “reflecting adversely upon”) cross-dressing, sex-change operations,
homosexual ‘marriages,’ and all aspects of bisexuality and homosexuality.
This mandate will affect children from kindergarten through 12th grade."

What is this world coming to????

this site offers some great comments on this issue: http://learninfreedom.org/socialization.html

also, here:  http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/zysk1.html

ok, enough reading for you! :)

Here is info about homeschooling in CA http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/CA/default.asp

Here is a very nice homeschool message board that has some CA homeschoolers. Be sure to check out the Beginners Page as it has lots of good info. http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/ It is in transition as it's owner just died due to complications of chemo, but the new owner is very nice.

Hi,

You might try visiting your local homeschool group.  We have had several visitors to join us on field trips, etc...  I have found some wonderful insights and tons of information along with friends for me and my children!  And, boy do we get all the socialization we need! 

(My dd started public school and at age 4 (Pre-K) was told by another 4 year older that her name had the word _ss in it!  Yes, public school can socialize your child for you and teach them all sorts of things, good, bad, and some before you or your child are ready to learn...)

Just some thoughts

The state departments of education is that states rules of what they want education wise.  It's for everyone and there will be links on there for homeschoolers.  It's also for parents who want to see what the state requires from schools.  It's important if you have a child who has learning disabilities or problems to see what the state requires the school to provide.  It's about the states laws and everyones rights the children included.  It's good to read even if you are dealing with public schools or private schools.  Sometimes you hit a situation where you need more for your child than the school wants to offer or you feel the school is denying your child something he or she is entitled to.  It will tell you a lot of information.  It's good to be informed no matter what.  Your state and school systm usually wants to be notified one way or another you are homeschooling.  This is different than registering...  Some homeschoolers are opposed to registering some aren't it varies.  Some states require notification and records filed with the state some don't it's always good to be on the safe side and know the laws.  Every so often you find someone who disagrees with your right to homeschool and they will turn you in.  It's a hassel for everyone but, well some children need to be checked on so I have always tried to be patient and understanding.  It's not so bad when you are prepared and you can say here is the portfolios here's the paperwork and here's the children see for yourself.  It's always easier for me to face problems head on and be prepared...  I do a method of play and learn and we don't use formal curriculum (we have we just enjoy this more and learn better).  I have hands on learners and so that's what we do.  My children test above average though and even I have learned to enjoy learning.  I hated school with a passion.   Sometimes you see things in the states education that needs changes and that's the most important because our children are our future and if we don't fight for them and what they need we have problems.  There's another good reason to see what is going on in your state.   We get too comfortable floating and letting whatever happen and we do have a say and we need to stand up.  So many times we allow our rights to be abused so we don't make a wave but, look at our children and the foster care system and our schools we really should be paying more attention most people don't even realize...  well I am off my soapbox now sorry but, everyone should read about their states education requirements you might be surprised I was.  Donna

wow penawife...re: SB 777...I'm glad I don't live in CA!

We've bought things from Christian Liberty Press and have been very happy with them.  Although we don't use their complete program (CLASS), we've known others who have.  Compared with other complete curriculums, it  appears to be thorough without leaning too far in the busywork  direction.  I also like how they seem to individualize the child's curriculum.  (If I understand their catalog and testing recommendations correctly.) 

We also get our standardized tests from CLASS (you don't have to be enrolled in their program to get tests from them.)

I don't know if this was in one of the above referenced links, but Homeschool Legal Defense Association (hslda.org) is a good place to find legal info for each state.  I'll let you know up front that hslda is a Christian organization (but anybody can glean info from the website) before I get blasted for mentioning them, since some here don't like them because of that.

Blessings to you and your family.

Tonja

Is class an internet thing or is it a complete course of textbooks, just wondering.  I use some stuff from Christian Liberty Press and they have a thing called Class that you can send in your materials for grading and they will send you report cards and such.  Just curious!!

Alicia,

You are right, and after reading your post I realized that we actually bought our stuff from Christian Liberty Press.  I do think we ordered the tests through the Christian Liberty Press program (CLASS), though. 

Tonja

Carrie,

Each state has their own homeschool laws. You can check with HSLDA - Homeschool Legal Defense Association - to find out what the laws are for  the state you live in.

There are a lot of options of resources/materials available to use to homeschool with. There are so  many options to choose from it can get confusing.

One of my favoriote online sites for homeschool resource information is www.cathyduffyreviews.com

Some books I recommend that you read are  :

The Three R's by Ruth Beechick. There is a gold mine of excellent information in these 3 little books.

 http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4_17/products_id/596

The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook.  This one took a lot of stress off of me after reading it years ago.

http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/576

Better Late Than Early by Dr. Raymond Moore

http://www.moorefoundation.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1/products_id/53

For the Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=title&Ntt=for+the+children%27s+sake&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1&Go.x=12&Go.y=7

Sherry