The following question was asked by a
DCHEA member on August 9, 2007 and is often asked throughout each school year in some form by members and non-members.
Question: I wanted to ask you about Public Charter Schools. Do they conflict with
DCHEA? And if so why?
Answer: Charter Schools are government entities and by enrolling into this option, a family is enrolling into a public school and placing their children's education under the government's authority.
Is this wrong? Absolutely not! It is a valid educational option.
Charter School Facilitators and Parents receive government funds and typically have their own networks of support. Many Charter Schools organize activities and field trips for their pupils. And being under the government's system, these families have no need for legal organizations to defend their rights to home educate.
What is DCHEA?DCHEA was formed over twenty-five years ago to support Christian families who educate their children at home, independently. These families have different support needs than those choosing other educational options.
DCHEA, being a Christian organization, supports families who are placing their children's education under God's authority (following the government's guidelines for private schools). This is not possible in a Charter School, where the law states that religion cannot be taught, directly or indirectly.
CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION / ARTICLE 9 / EDUCATION SEC. 8.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, in any of the common schools of this State.DCHEA families do not receive government funds, but rely upon Jehovah
Jireh for provision of homeschooling supplies, curriculum, and activities from year to year. The 4-person Board is seated with unpaid volunteers who put in many hours each year. Numerous parents also give freely of their time and financial resources.
DCHEA families must be diligent in maintaining their parental rights, as given
biblically. We pray diligently for the freedoms we have and support groups such as
HSLDA, who help us maintain those freedoms.
Take a look at what happens when those freedoms are destroyed.
In 2002 and 2008, home educating parents in California were under attack...by "opinion" in 2002 and by "law" in 2008. As independent, home educating parents prayed and sent letters to state officials, parents who had chosen
any other option (private campus schools, charter schools, public campus schools, etc.) had no reason to get involved, as these attacks did not threaten their parental or educational lifestyle. Thankfully, a
very small percentage did get involved, as these parents understood that the stripping of parental authority in any area, will affect parental authority in all areas.
This said, each family must research and weigh their different educational options, whether government or independent, campus or home. And then choose the one that they feel is best for their family. Each family knows what is right for each of their children. Many of us know families who have a child on a public or private school campus
and have another learning at home. It's
not about right and wrong...it
is about parental choice.
DCHEA simply supports Christian families who choose to home educate independently or through a Private Study Program (
PSP). Each educational venue has different challenges and needs. To attempt to support all Christian families, no matter their educational choice, would be to the detriment of the type of support required by the Independent families, which
DCHEA was originally formed to serve.
Unfortunately, over the years, a few families have attempted to stir up animosity between
DCHEA and Charter entities in our area. We pray that this article will clear up some of the confusion or misunderstanding. DCHEA encourages unity within the homeschool community, regardless of which educational option a family chooses.
For more information:(1) Read
HSLDA's article on
Home-based Charter Schools(2) Big
CHEA (statewide organization) has an excellent article about
Charter Schools that has
eye-opening stewardship information.
(3)
FPM's Roy Wilson also has an article on
Charter Schools & Public School ISPs on the
CHEA website.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
~ James 3:17
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