Public Charter Schools and Independent Study Programs
Families who choose private home education for one or more of their students are eligible to join ACHEV. We have aligned ourselves with CHEA, HSLDA, and FPM on charter schools and public school independent study programs as follows:
Homeschooling through charter schools or public school independent study programs is a form of public education in which the public school directs the education. Thus, it is our longstanding policy not to accept families as members if all of their children are enrolled in public school options.
We understand that the financial pressures faced by families today make publicly subsidized educational programs very attractive. While we believe that parents have the right to choose whatever form of education they wish for their children, supporting families who are educating their children via a charter school or public school independent study program does not fall within our mission. For further reading, we encourage you to visit cheaofca.org, hslda.org, and fpmca.org. Thank you.
Excerpts from the California Constitution and the California Education Code state the following:
Article IX, Section 8 of the California Constitution:
No public money shall ever be appropriated for the support of any sectarian or denominational school or any school not under the exclusive control of the officers of the public schools nor shall any sectarian or denominational doctrine be taught or instruction thereon be permitted directly or indirectly [emphasis added] in any of the common schools of the state.
California Education Code 47605 (e) (1):
In addition to any other requirement imposed under this part, a charter school shall be nonsectarian [emphasis added] in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations, shall not charge tuition, and shall not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability.
Unless otherwise noted, ACHEV activities are open to ACHEV parents and their private-home educated students. Siblings who are using an educational option other than private home education may attend some ACHEV family-integrated open events with their family, accompanied by their parents. These open events will be clearly noted.
The ACHEV Board continues to refine our purpose within the scope of our Mission Statement in order to keep our group focused and strong. It is our hope that our children and grandchildren will also enjoy the privileges and the right to choose private home education for their children in accordance with Christian principles, without government intervention and ultimately government control.