Is an educational option really homeschool just because the name says it is?

This is the third in a series about Arizona SB 1152 which has clarified the definition of homeschooling by stating that it relates to non-public instruction of students in their homes.  For further details, please read what the new law is about and some of the history of homeschooling in Arizona that led to this legislation.

Public school programs that are only for homeschoolers

Although a great oxymoron, a few school districts in the Phoenix area developed group classes for which enrollees could only be homeschooled students.  The classes were free, part-time, originally supplemental and designed for elementary and junior high children.  They were taught by district teachers one or two days a week, and families could choose one or two blocks of classes totaling six hours each per week. (This was to qualify for the part-time ADM funding.)  A free curriculum lending library was available to the parents.

Within a couple of years, subtle changes appeared in definitions and requirements.  Students now had to take the AIMS tests, from which homeschoolers were by law specifically exempted.  Even though homeschoolers exclusively were allowed to enroll, the moment they did, they were no longer considered homeschoolers by the state, even when only taking 1/4 time classes.  These also were considered fully public school students.

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