Ask an Expert: Judy Goddess
Using California School Law To Advocate For Your Kids

My son doesn't have enough credits to graduate with his class in June 2004. When he went to summer school in our district last year, it was unstructured and uncontrolled. Police patrolled the hallways and the students learned nothing. He is now studying with a tutor.

This summer I would like him to attend our local community college instead to gain credits for graduation. But the school counselor tells me this is not an option because my son doesn't have a 2.0 grade average, and there's no guarantee that his high school will accept the college units for credit.

Could the high school really refuse those credits? Should I homeschool my son during the summer instead?

If there is no better summer school your son can attend, then the community college certainly is a good option. However, the California Education Code outlines a more formal process than simply talking to the school counselor to get approval (see sections 48800 and 76001 (h) of the Code at www.leginfo.ca.gov). Your first step is to write your school board requesting that they allow your son to attend the community college and receive high school credit for his work. The board has 60 days to respond, in writing, to your request. If they deny your request, they must explain why. In that case you would need to appeal the decision to your county board of education. The county board has 30 days to respond in writing. But before you go to all that trouble, you probably should ask one of the counselors at the community college about the experiences of other high school students who have tried to make up credits in this way.

Homeschooling is indeed another option. For it to count toward graduation, you and the high school will first need to develop a written agreement that outlines the material your son needs to master, how to handle homework and testing, and the number of credits he will earn for completing the work. If you need help in negotiating the process, you can call the HomeSchool Association of California at (888) HSC-4440, or visit its site at www.hsc.org.

If you sign your son up for independent study, his high school is less likely to protest the homeschooling plan (school funding is not decreased when students take independent study). Again, you and the school will need to develop a contract that outlines how the course of study will be conducted, how your son will be tested, and how many credits he can achieve this way. You and your son's math tutor should make an appointment with the staff person in charge of independent study at your school. If your son attends a school without an independent study program, your request will be handled at the district or county level.

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