Assemblymember Susan Eggman, 13th Assembly District
AB 2926 - In-Home Private Instruction Advisory Committee
SUMMARY
AB 2926 would direct the Superintendent of
Public Instruction to establish a broadly
representative and diverse advisory
committee to explore specific aspects of in-
home private instruction. The committee
would then present recommendations to the
Superintendent to review before they are
presented to the Legislature and the
Governor. These recommendations would
address potential gaps in state oversight of
in-home private schools.
BACKGROUND
Two parents in Perris, CA were recently
arrested when their 17-year-old daughter
escaped their suburban home and told
authorities about the torturous conditions
that she and her 12 siblings were being held
under, including starvation and mechanical
restraints. It was discovered that the father
had submitted a five page affidavit to the
CA Department of Education (CDE) to be
recognized as a private school based in their
home – the only requirement to establish
such a school.
While this horrific example is not indicative
of the vast majority of loving, caring
families who choose to homeschool for
various reasons, it has shed light on just how
little we know about these schools and
students, especially when compared to some
other states.
Currently, 13 states require some specific
qualifications for home instructors, usually a
high school diploma or equivalent, while
Washington requires homeschool instructors
to have completed some college. Other
states have specific curriculum standards for
homeschools and typically the teacher must
keep a portfolio of student work to be
reviewed at the request of the state board.
Office of Assemblymember Susan Eggman
New York requires yearly individual
education plans for homeschoolers that are
approved by the district superintendent, and
they provide the district with quarterly
progress reports. Twenty states require at
least standardized testing or an alternative
assessment method (such as a three person
panel from the district reviewing student
work).
At this time California does not require any
of these.
THIS BILL
AB 2926 would require the Superintendent
of Public Instruction to establish a diverse
advisory committee to provide suggestions
first to the Superintendent and then to the
Legislature and Governor by July 1, 2021,
on potential changes to the administration of
in-home private schools. The committee
shall explore, at a minimum, whether
additional health and safety inspections,
additional curriculum standards, and teacher
certification or credentialing are appropriate
and feasible.
SUPPORT
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Office of Assemblymember Eggman
Logan Hess
(916) 319-2013
Email: Logan.Hess@asm.ca.gov
AB 2926 Fact Sheet Page 1