We have two years of enrollment for the Turpins' "school". The students all progress along as one would expect given their ages. But, what was this based on, I wonder?
I know there was no face to face oversight, but I think surely there must have been some communication between them and the state. Even if the state just sent the occasional form in the mail. I get they can put whatever they want, but does anyone know specifically what California might send to home schooling parents?
They changed their number a lot, but would they have gotten any phone calls about it?
So here's what I found by researching homeschooling laws in CA. (Which, I know, are going to differ from private school stuff, but I am still working on that.)
1. File an annual private school affidavit.This form must be filed with the California Superintendent of Public Instruction between October 1 and October 15 of each school year. New private schools that start up after October 15 should file an affidavit as soon as possible.
2. Maintain an attendance register.
3. Instruction must be in English.
4. Instructors must be capable of teaching.
5. Provide instruction in the courses commonly taught in the public schools (e.g., language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training)
6. Maintain immunization records or personal beliefs exemption.
7. Maintain a list of courses of study.
8. Maintain a list of instructors with their addresses and qualifications.
You should also keep detailed records of your program. These records may be helpful if you face an investigation regarding your homeschooling or your student needs to furnish proof of education.These records should include attendance records, information on the textbooks and workbooks your student used, samples of your students schoolwork, correspondence with school officials, portfolios and test results, and any other documents showing that your child is receiving an appropriate education in compliance with the law.
But here's the thing, apparently the CDE does NOT regulate private schools, which could very well be why the Turpins created their "own" school instead of homeschooling...
Here are some FAQs about private schools in CA...
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/psfaq.asp
And if you want to check out something from Vice...(it does mention the Turpin family)
Setting up your own private school takes about 10 minutes in California
https://news.vice.com/en_us/article...e-school-takes-about-10-minutes-in-california