Using a Public ISP or Charter School
Independent Study Programs, which now can be through a district or ever more commonly a Charter School have changed a lot since we were in high school. Then it was frequently only for disciplinary problems, pregnant teens, and kids who were unable to go to school, now many families consider it a superior educational choice for their children. Choice being the key word. Many charter schools now offer a wide variety of curriculum and support. Some are more and less friendly to a wide variety of homeschooling philosophies, and many offer classes, field trips, and even work with community colleges. They can also be a way to get instant homeschooling friends. However, since these are public program, each have certain paperwork and reporting requirements that may or may not work with your family, and with all of these you will be working closely with a credentialed teacher, so be sure that your teacher is someone who will work with you, and your needs. If you are interested in this option, don't be afraid to talk to local homeschooling parents, who frequently have a lot of information about the choices in your area. The following articles give some more in depth discussion of this. To locate charter schools in California go to: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/cs/index.asp
Charter Schools
By Debbie Schwarzer, Esq., Linda J. Conrad, Esq., and Elizabeth Bryant, Esq.
Public School Independent Study Programs
By Debbie Schwarzer, Esq., Linda J. Conrad, Esq., and Elizabeth Bryant, Esq.
Public And Private ISPs
By Erin Friedman
Charter Homeschool Programs
By Klara East
Before Enrolling: Questions to Ask a Charter School
By Marquette Gass