Miyu wrote:elliemaejune wrote:
You should know that no other states have such things as ISPs (for you non-Californians, that is "Independent Study Program," govt-school programs operated through a local public school or a county Office of Education....)
Utah does...I looked into one. And I know other states have public charter schools for homeschooling. I don't know about NC, though...
There are many other states which have charter schools; it is just that they don't usually refer to them as "Independent Study Programs." California public schools have been operating ISPs since the '80s, long before the advent of charter schools. Most of the ISPs were for delinquent public school students; some were for all students in the county, or in an individual district. Calif public schools still set up independent study for students who are sick or on extended family vacations.
In the early 80s one of the districts in Northern California set up an ISP strictly for homeschoolers. In 1985, San Diego county started one which grew to enormous size; its founder moved to Orange County a couple of years later and began a similar program there. For several years some of them offered stipends of up to $1000 per child, but for the most part, the ISPs have dwindled in number as the charter schools have grown because of Dept. of Ed rules about the whole stipend thing.
The ISP thing is big business in California. In addition to the govt-sponsored ISPs, there are many campus-based private schools which have similar programs and a huge number of private schools which only enroll hsers. Calif hsers refer to them all as "ISPs," although technically, the private ones are, well, private schools, not ISPs.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!
