A question I receive every year is “Oh no! I forgot to file my California PSA for homeschooling! What do I do?” So I reached out to Private School section of the California Department of Education to get concrete answers. Everyone just breathe, it will be ok.
If you haven’t filed for this academic year (August 1st – June 30th)
In previous years I have been asked and I have always responded with the fact I don’t know and that you should just file it ASAP. Come to find out, I was right;). The California PSA is available to fill out online until June 30th of every academic year. No matter when during the year that you file it registers as the school existed in that academic year. It is basically binary, it existed or it didn’t.
If you forgot to file for a year
What happened if you forgot to file for a whole year or more? Well, there is no way to go back and file after the academic year is over. For the most part (like if CPS were to be called because someone thinks your children are truant or not being educated) nothing will happen as long as you have a current PSA. They don’t look back to see the history.
But where it can be a problem is when dealing with other schools. If you choose to put your children into a public k-12 school, they may not accept your transcripts if they look up the history. The public school can already be bit prickly about accepting transfers into specific grades when the kids are in high school. Also, colleges may ask about it and you will have to work harder to defend your classes and grades.
That said, I have never been asked for a copy of my affidavit (or historical years) for CSU’s, Community College, or the Army.
Don’t think the PSA isn’t important!
So if it isn’t a really big deal if you forget, should we even bother. Yes, it is the law! Your children have to attend a public school unless they are in a private school that is registered. You can be accused of legal neglect if you don’t have your children in school.
So, file your PSA! The law says file it between October 1st and 15th. It isn’t legal required until October 15th but after then you can get in trouble.
What other questions do you have and how can I help? Don’t worry, you have got this!
Hi I have a question I am currently home schooling my son of 9 years but I accidentally miss the date line this year to file the PSA on the 15 but I did as soon as I could which was on October 21 which makes it 5 days late, Will I get in trouble for that ?
I received a call from the county I was unable to answer so now I’m wondering if my PSA got flagged ?
You should be fine. If you need to you can just show them a copy of your PSA.