On October 13, 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 66: (Anderson) Pupil Work Permits, a new law which will take effect on January 1, 2010.
This is the complete text of AB 66.
To summarize briefly, this new law will allow private schools to issue work permits to students. However, the California Department of Education has to establish some procedures to implement the new law’s requirements. For example, the CDE will need to provide a means of making the work permit forms available to private schools. Therefore, all of the details on how to comply with the new law and how to properly have a work permit issued to your student have not yet been completed, though those questions are already being asked. We anticipate having more details before the new law goes into effect on January 1, 2010. Please continue to check on this blog and the CHN main website for more updates closer to that date.
SPECIAL NOTE: Work permits which have already been issued for the 2009/2010 school year (or which will be issued before January 1, 2010) will continue to be valid until the end of the school year.
- CHN Legislative and Legal Rights Advocacy Committees
October 24th, 2009
Today is the first day of the California 2009-2010 school year private school filing. If you are a homeschooler filing as a private school, you can get line by line instructions for filing the PSA at the CHN website.
You have until October 15th. Also, don’t forget the other paperwork your school needs as well, whether you file the PSA or send in a “statement in lieu”.
Happy homeschooling!
October 1st, 2009
Dear Friends!
CHN, along with the other major support groups for homeschooling in California, have been monitoring the progress of AB 66 (Anderson): Student Work Permits. I am happy to report that the bill has passed cleanly through both the Senate and Assembly and currently awaits the Governor’s signature! Right now, we really need your help!
Under current law, private school students have sometimes been unable to obtain work permits even though they have the full approval and support of their parents and their schools of enrollment.
AB 66 will amend California Education Code 49110 to allow private school principals to issue permits to their own students, with some minor restrictions.
This bill would ensure that work permits will be available equally to all students. This bill also specifies that the hours during which a student can work shall be based on the calendar of the school that the student attends. Under current law, student work hours are based on the public school calendar, even for students who do not attend public school.
There has been considerable efforts made within the last 4 years, by the major groups who support homeschooling in the State of California, to make work permits more accessible to all private school students, including those in home-based private schools (i.e. homeschools).
This year, as in previous years, it has been important strategically to work behind-the-scenes until now.
According to Article IV(10)(b)(1) of the California Constitution, the Governor has 30 days, after the Joint Recess starts, to return AB 66 to the Legislature (i.e.veto it). If he does not veto it, it becomes law - with or without his
signature. This bill has already been sent back for revision several times over the course of the last few years. I have been assured by others who have closely monitored its journey, that the bill is satisfactory to all interested parties and it is VERY likely to be signed by the Governor.
This year, the 30th day after the start of Joint Recess is Monday, October 12th. But, this is a holiday. Therefore the last day on which the governor could veto AB 66 is Tuesday, October 13th.
Here is where you can help! Please write to the Governor to ask him to sign the bill and mail or fax your letter before October 13, 2009. We are including the contact information and a sample of a simple letter that would give the bill the support it needs!
*****************************
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-558-3160
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
Please sign AB 66 (Anderson) into law. This bill will help ensure that all students have equal opportunity to get jobs. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
****************************
Personal letters are more effective than emails in that an email will not properly show the authentic, original (or reasonable facsimile) of a constituents signature.
Please write TODAY! Thank you for your assistance. Together, we continue to keep the right to choose educational options for children in California, in the hands of the parents.
Sincerely,
Melissa Zawrotny
Chair, Legislation and Legal Rights Advocacy Committees
and Trustee 2009-2010
California Homeschool Network
September 21st, 2009
The smell of autumn is in the air! October 1 is approaching quickly. It’s almost time to file the Private School Affidavit. Are you ready?
CHN continues to monitor the CDE website for any changes to the online filing form, while helping lots of independent homeschoolers get ready for the annual filing window.
Is this your first year filing independently? What advice would our seasoned filers offer to newly filing home schoolers? Please join the current members of CHN’s Board of Trustees, on Wednesday September 30 at 7:00pm at CHN’s Grapevine Chatroom for the annual “Filing Fling”.
Log on information will be sent to the Grapevine the day prior.
We look forward to seeing you there!
September 20th, 2009
Hello Campers!
Our 2009 Carpinteria Camping Trip is all set and ready to go!
When - October 11 - 15, 2009
Price - $15 per person over age 3 - plus parking fee of $10 per day per car.
Note - parking fee will be paid to the Park Ranger for most campers.
We will have room for a very limited number of RVs, so if you plan to bring an RV, please let me know right away.
Remember, no pets allowed in the group camping areas.
Carpinteria is a quaint little town, and the campground is only a few blocks from shopping, restaurants and more! If you have never camped before, this is a great place to try it out!
This year, it is easier than ever to register for this trip, by paying online!
http://californiahomeschool.net/store/events.htm
I hope to see all of our past campers and lots of new ones too!
Karin
September 10th, 2009
CHN trustee Loren Mavormati was interviewed for an article on Bakersfield.com. Great job, Loren!
September 8th, 2009
There have been some recent concerns on the CHN e-list about a work permit bill in California that is about to be signed as law.
AB 66 gives private school principals limited authorization to issue work permits.
Loren Mavromati, CHN Trustee, says this about the bill:
“The bill specifically says that private school principals will be able to issue work permits or designate an administrator to issue them. This is a big change from the current situation where only public school principals and those private schools that have been approved by the superintendent of the public school district can issue permits.
The current system isn’t very efficient. If you attend a private school where the principal does not have permission to issue permits, which is the vast majority of private schools, the way to get one is to walk into your public school office and ask them to fill it out. These public school officials are usually surprised we’re asking. They don’t know if our children are attending school regularly; they don’t know if they are succeeding in their coursework. They just sign the paperwork blindly because the law tells them they are the ones to issue the permit.
In the new bill, principals will not be permitted to issue permits to their own children, but a designated administrator in the private school could do that. That sounds to me like, as the principal for my private school, I could designate an individual who is not the parent of my child as the administrator who will handle work permits at our school. This makes much more sense. The private school principal and staff where your children attend are the ones who have the knowledge to determine if working would be detrimental to the child’s schooling. For homeschoolers using home based private schools, the principal/parent along with an advisor who will serve as their administrator will be able to determine if a work schedule would still allow the child to continue their coursework successfully.
[The bill] does say that private school principals will have to certify that they understand the laws, but doesn’t specify exactly what kind of certification that would require. Perhaps a signed affidavit from the principal would suffice. The Ed Committee analysis goes a step further and says they would “self-certify” which makes it sound even more like a signed affidavit would suffice.”
There is still some uncertainty about how this bill will play out for homeschoolers who choose the private school option, but as Loren says, under this new law, there will be more flexibility than there was before in how private-school homeschooled children can obtain a work permit in California.
This is the analysis of this bill, compared to the previous law.
And here is the text of the bill itself.
(Comments are temporarily not working on this blog. If you have questions or concerns about this bill, please email Loren Mavromati for more information.)
September 3rd, 2009
Please forward a reminder to all of your loops because we want everyone to get the best deal possible on the Expo. To get the best price for the 2009 CHN Family Expo, register before Wednesday, December 31st.
Registration prices for members are $40 per adults, $50 for a couple, and $30 per child, but members who register before 2008 ends will get $10 off each person’s or couple’s registration! Two and under and accompanying grandparents are free.
Not a member? No problem. You can become a member when you register and get this great price!
The Expo will be held on the weekend of July 31st through August 2nd at the Marriott near the Ontario Airport.
You can register at the CHN online store, or print out the registration form and mail or fax it in, or call Ruth at the 800 number and she’ll help you get registered.
December 29th, 2008
I just made my hotel reservation for Expo 2009, and as usual, it was easy as can be! It’s an important detail to take care of if you’re coming to the Expo because the hotel fills up every year, leaving disappointed homeschoolers scrambling at the last minute. Why not do what I just did and take care of it now, and have some peace of mind?
Ok, what spurred me into action, is that I heard from two different people that rooms were filling up, and that’s the kind of thing that makes one pause and realize what an important part of the Expo that room is. Sure, you can commute or stay elsewhere, but the special deal CHN got this year is the same as last year - $88/night with free parking for guests. It’s an awesome deal, and I like the relaxation of just being there, with my room very close.
If you’re coming to the Expo, make sure to take care of that little hotel detail while you can. I know there are some people who could share their tales of panic when they realized they’d forgotten to get a room last year. It happens, so how about an early New Year’s resolution to take care of Expo details early?
Speaking of New Year’s, register by then and get $10/person off your registration. And for those of you who have a family tradition of requesting the gift you want, this would be a wonderful gift that would be enjoyed all year - first in anticipation, and then when July 31 rolls around, just being there with so many other homeschoolers. If the gift giver is a grandparent, you can even include them and invite them for free! You really need to check out the details yourself because if I tell you that the couple’s price is $50 (make that $40 for the two of you if you register by New Year’s), you’ll just think I’ve made a typo. And $30 for kids becomes $20 if you register by New Year’s. I never was great at math, but even I can see this is incredible. Just what people need when times are tough. And no, CHN is not scrimping on this Expo - it will be “Expotastic” just like last year!
Karen Taylor
December 5th, 2008
Jim Weiss will be at Expo 2009. Not only that, it is also the 20th anniversary for his company, Greathall Productions! His wife is hoping to come to this year’s Expo too. How exciting!
Is it possible to say enough about Jim Weiss? He’s a terrific storyteller, and more. For all of us who have brought our children to his booth, there’s the memory of how he interacts on such a personal level with each child. It’s been 12 years since my son first met Jim, and I’ve been appreciative of him ever since. I’m just so excited that Jim loves the Expo enough to want to return, because we all sure love seeing him and hearing his stories!
If you haven’t been to the Expo, be sure to check out the website and see what the excitement is about.
Last year’s low prices are being preserved for another year, even at the hotel, and there’s a new special discount that is good until New Year’s Eve - now that’s something to celebrate!
The Expo will be held at the Ontario Marriott Hotel again (yea - it’s a great location!) and the dates are July 31- August 2nd.
- Karen Taylor
October 6th, 2008
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