Children in California are exempt from public school attendance if they:

1. are instructed in a private school (E.G. 48222),
2. or are tutored by a state-credentialed teacher (B.C. 48224). 

California's home educators fit variously into either or both of these categories. Some parents choose to begin a private school in their own home, filing an affidavit with the State Department of Education and complying with the same rules and regulations which apply to any other private school in California (B.C. 33190). A parent who holds a valid California teaching credential may tutor his children without enrolling them in a private school. Other families enroll in an independent study program (ISP) offered by a local public or private school. Families have enjoyed the freedom to teach their own children at home since the earliest California settlements.

Groups of home educators exist in every major city and in most smaller ones throughout California. Many home educators are actively involved in a local home-education group, enjoying field trips, science fairs, sports, spelling bees and a wealth of other activities with their friends.
    Home-educated children receive their social skills training from a broad range of experiences, under the supervision of their parents. Home-educated children effectively interact with people from all age groups and from diverse backgrounds; a mixture more accurately reflecting the actual world, but not commonly found on school playgrounds. Problems commonly associated with what Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner of Cornell University calls "peer group social contagion" (peer dependence) are notably absent.
      Some advantages of freedom from constant peer pressure are: positive self-esteem, independent thinking, the ability to relate to people of all ages, and better family relationships.
     CHEA of California maintains a communication and support network, along with a referral service to groups in every area of the state. Home educators typically don't feel isolated from peers, having many social activities from which to choose through their communities, neighborhood churches, families, friends and home-education groups.

A wealth of experiences can supplement and enrich home teaching. Specialized classes and sports programs are often available through commu­nity services such as parks and recreation departments, YMCA, 4-H, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, Little League, museums, art schools, churches, and private tutors.
      Home-educated children participate in music, dance, gymnastics, art lessons, and more. Cross teaching among families allows children to learn special subjects. There are generally more opportunities and time for enrichment activities available for home-educated students than for those in more traditional schools.

A variety of materials is available to California families, including textbooks and other educational supplies available to public schools and traditional private and parochial schools. In addition, many new products are becoming available specifically designed for the one-on-one style of home education.
      Several conventions are held in California each year which cater to the home-education community. These feature a full range of specialized work­shops designed to train and equip home-educating parents, and exhibit halls with thousands of books and teaching aids. The largest Annual Convention, which is hosted by CHEA of California, is held each July and regularly draws 3,500 to 4,000 attendees.
     Several excellent guides to selection and purchase of curriculum are available to assist families in setting up their children's course of study. Also available are many periodicals and publications featuring home education and related topics. 

     Home-educated students have fared well in college. In fact, some colleges are actively soliciting home-educated students because of their reputation for being self-motivated and having leadership qualities.
     In addition to their private school diploma and transcript, students may be accepted by colleges on the basis of standardized test results. The California High School Proficiency Exam or the GED are available to establish high school equivalence.
     Some students choose to attend a community college for the first year after high school graduation, which will establish transferable credits and demonstrate an ability to work at college level.